Undeniably, adverse effects are associated with vitamin D deficiency that will affect athletic performance both directly and indirectly. Make sure you know your blood level before supplementing as blind supplementing can be dangerous and a waste of time
Technically, vitamin D is a hormone and found in a few foods, added to others, and made by the body when exposed to UV light. It’s easy not to get enough D and is one of the most common suboptimal nutrients in athletes. When looking for a vitamin D supplement, you’ll see a couple of options.
Depending on where you live in the US, you may or may not get a whiff of marijuana while you’re out and about. The legal status of this common drug is state-dependent in the eyes of the government but not sports associations. Whole cannabis is currently prohibited in competition by Read more…
Liquid vs. powder collagen for athletes: pros, cons, and which is better? Liquid collagen is making a splash on the collagen scene. You may have seen ads or know a friend using it, but is it really any different, and is it worth the money for athletes? So which is better? Read more…
Iron Basics Athletes are notorious for having low iron levels, especially endurance athletes. But what if your ferritin is high? Although it’s not nearly as common, it does happen and it’s important to have your ferritin levels checked periodically to make sure you’re not too high or low, both of Read more…
My ferritin is low, but I’m not anemic. There are many different kinds of anemia, but iron deficiency anemia is perhaps the most common. But among athletes, iron deficiency with no anemia (IDNA) is much more prevalent. This means ferritin levels are low but red blood cell production is still Read more…
Vitamin B12 for athletes Vitamin B12 for athletes plays an important role in athletic performance. It’s a water-soluble vitamin that’s essential for red blood cell production, brain function and DNA synthesis. Low vitamin B12 can lead to anemia and cause a variety of symptoms, but most commonly athletes report feeling Read more…
Folate for athletes Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin (B9) that plays an important role in making DNA. It plays an important role in red blood cell production and tissue repair. Folate is especially important for athletes, who have a high red blood cell turnover rate due to the stresses Read more…
Magnesium from food sources Athlete commomly use magnesium supplements. It is the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body and is necessary for over 300 metabolic reactions, yet athletes often fall short on this electrolyte and crucial micronutrient. Good food sources of magnesium include leafy greens (spinach, chard), legumes, Read more…
Collagen is the most prevalent protein in your body. It’s essential for providing structure to your skin, hair, nails and even helps your blood clot. In the past few years, collagen’s gained popularity showing up in everything from muffins to water (sister-in-law gave me collagen water at her house, who Read more…