Vitamins are important part of a balanced diet and absolutely essential for runners. Vitamins convert carbohydrates, fat, and protein into energy and help to maintain the health of the body’s cells, tissues and organs.
It is important to note that runners should not expect vitamins to be direct performance enhancers. Many studies throughout the years have shown the vitamin intake does not have a direct impact on running performance.
However, taking a multivitamin everyday will ensure that your body is healthy enough to train well and develop your cardiovascular and muscular systems.
For example, many multivitamin formulations contain antioxidants, such as Vitamin C, which protects bodies from the damage caused by free radicals. Iron is also included in many formulations, which is essential in preventing anemia. Although not technically a vitamin, many multivitamin products include the substances Glucosamine and Chondroitin, which have been shown to improve joint health.
One of the best ways to ensure that you intake the right vitamins at the correct quantities is to purchase multivitamins that are specially formulated for runners. My favorite product is Runner’s Daily Complete. Taking this multivitamin/multimineral supplement will help ensure that your body is healthy enough to train hard.
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