Inadequate vitamin levels may result in poor athletic performance

Active individuals with low Vitamin B intakes in may perform worse in high-intensity exercise and have a decreased ability to build and repair muscle. National B-Vitamin recommendations may be too low for active individuals. Athletes with poor or restricted diets should consider and multivitamin supplement.

Active individuals lacking in B-vitamins may perform worse during high- intensity exercise and have a reduced ability to repair and build muscle than individuals with nutrient-rich diets.

These B vitamins, which include thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, B12 and folate, are necessary for the body to convert proteins and sugars into energy, and are used during the production and repair of cells, including red blood cells.

Researchers analyzed the diet and athletic performance of several elite and collegiate athletes, as well as less competitive individuals. Even a marginal deficiency in these nutrients negatively influenced their body's ability to repair itself, operate efficiently and fight disease. Exercise induced stress, the changes in body tissues resulting from training, increased loss of nutrients in sweat, urine and feces, and the additional nutrients needed to repair and maintain higher levels of lean tissue mass may all affect an individual's B-vitamin requirements.

The researchers noted that current national B-vitamin recommendations for active individuals may be inadequate, and that chronic deficiencies could jeopardize their abilities and long-term health. Athletes and individuals with poor and restricted diets should consider a multivitamin and multimineral supplement to ensure adequacy.

Kathleen Woolf; Melinda M. Manore Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 2006(16) 5.