Minerals & Sports Nutrition

Many amateurs consume tons of calorie producing nutrients and make the mistake to forget about minerals and vitamins. As a matter of fact, these little nutrients (micronutrients) are very important. If you have a Ferrari and forget about the oil and the cooling liquid, your motor will not run on its full potential. And it is the same with the human body, proteins and carbohydrates are not all you need for a high performance. if you forget about the "LITTLE" things, you are just wasting energy. Just to name a few examples: Minerals are needed for protein synthesis, muscle contractions and oxygen transport. Find more information about sports nutrition at nutrition main.

General information: Minerals & Sports Nutrition

  • These are the 10 most important minerals in sports.
    1. Magnesium
      Energy production and protein synthesis
    2. Calcium
      Muscular contractions and bone density
    3. Zinc
      Think Zinc for growth
    4. Chromium
      Helps transporting amino acids, glucose etc.
    5. Sodium
      An important electrolyte
    6. Phosphorus
      Linked to exercise metabolism
    7. Iron
      Oxygen transport
    8. Vanadium
      Glycogen storing effect in your muscles
    9. Copper
      Oxygen transport and utilization
    10. Potassium
      Another important electrolyte

Where are they found: Minerals & Sports Nutrition

  • Milk
  • Cheese
  • Meat
  • Vegetables
  • Sea Food
  • Mineral Supplements

Advice: Minerals & Sports Nutrition

  • Exercise results in an increased requirement of minerals.
  • Your body can't produce minerals on its own. That's why you have to obtain them in your diet
  • Excess minerals can produce toxic effects.
  • Overdosing one mineral can lead to a functional imbalance of another mineral or cause negative side effects while eliminating the originally desired benefits.
  • Try to obtain your minerals from natural foods. Supplements should always be your second choice.