Vitamin and Mineral Supplements for Athletes

Adequate nutrition is important for a strong and healthy body. Some athletes strive to improve their performance by taking excessive amounts of vitamins and minerals. While it is important to meet the body's requirements for vitamins and minerals, it is foolish, and sometimes dangerous to exceed these needs. Taking extra vitamins and minerals will not make an athlete bigger, stronger, or faster. Good nutrition and sound training methods yield improvements and better performance, not supplements.

Some athletes may have special needs. For example, female athletes need to make sure they are getting adequate calcium and iron. Athletes who do not eat red meat may need iron and vitamin B-12 supplements.

A healthy balanced diet supplies the vitamin needs for most athletes. It is not wise to take high doses of vitamins. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are stored in the fat and can be toxic to the body when taken in large amounts. Excess water-soluble vitamins, like B and C, are eliminated in the urine. This is like pouring money down the drain if large amounts of vitamins B and C are taken. Mineral supplements should not exceed the US RDA allowances.

It is generally safe to take one vitamin and mineral supplement with your largest daily meal. This will ensure that you are getting everything you need. However, more is not necessarily better. Talk to a registered dietitian about your dietary needs and then follow the advice closely. Strength and endurance are outcomes of proper training, not excessive vitamin and mineral supplementation.

The specialists at Saint Vincent Sports Medicine offer PPT – Performance, Prevention and Treatment – strategies for athletes of all ages. For more information about the exercise that’s right for you, contact Saint Vincent Sports Medicine at 814-866-3466.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.