Supplements for Athletes in Training

By Phil Sims

One common misconception that people have regarding exercise is that performing it on a regular basis will prevent them from developing any health problems. When you exercise, your body uses its nutrients to fuel the energy necessary to perform the exercise. Depending on the intensity of your workout and the amount of nutrients in your body, you can actually put yourself at risk for nutrient deficiency, which can result in infections. This is especially true for athletes during training.

Consuming sufficient amounts of nutrients is an important concern for everyone. The more physical demands you place on your body the more nutrients it requires. Consuming more foods that contain essential vitamins and minerals to compensate for the stress on the body may seem to make sense. However, the demands of a strenuous training routine make it nearly impossible to consume a sufficient amount. Vitamin supplementation can help create the stores of nutrients that you need to achieve your training goals successfully.

Many of the vitamins that your body uses during an intense workout are antioxidants. It is important that you maintain adequate amounts of these in your system because they keep infections at bay. Vitamins C and E are two of the most beneficial antioxidants for athletes in training. These vitamins not only prevent infection, but they help to enhance your stamina so that you can endure the intense workout. In addition, vitamins C and E can help rebuild muscle tissue that suffers minor damage during a hard workout. You should not rely on vitamins alone, but be sure to eat protein and carbohydrates in between your workouts, which can also help to rebuild the amount of glycogen you lose during your workout.

The amount of vitamin C supplements an individual should take varies, but should not exceed 1000 milligrams. Excessive amounts of vitamin C are not considered toxic because the nutrient is water-soluble and excess is excreted in the urine. However, consuming more than 1000 milligrams can cause nausea and diarrhea. If you are considering taking vitamins E supplements, you don’t want to take more than 200 milligrams. There are varying reports on the effects of excessive vitamin E so you should discuss taking this vitamin with your doctor.

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