Vitamin B-12
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B-Vitamins and Athletic Performance
Can B-Vitamins Enhance Athletic Performance
B-Vitamins are often taken by athletes both young and old for their role in energy metabolism and muscle function. But do they really help an athlete perform better? Let’s take a closer look at the B-Vitamins which include thiamin (B-1), riboflavin (B-2), niacin, pyridoxine (B-6), folacin, cyanocobalamin (B-12), pantothenic acid, and biotin.
Many athletes, especially young athletes involved in highly competitive sports, do not realize the impact their diets have on their performance.
Ideally, an athlete should look to consume foods that are rich in B-Vitamins and supplement with a B-Complex vitamin when needed. The B-vitamins are in whole and enriched grains, dark green vegetables, nuts, and many animal and dairy products. Here is a helpful list of some of the food sources for B-Vitamins…
Top Food Sources for B-Vitamins
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Thiamin Food Sources: Liver, pork, lean meats, wheat germ, whole grains, enriched breads, and cereals.
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Riboflavin Food Sources: Milk and milk products, liver, enriched breads, and cereals.
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Niacin Food Sources: Liver, poultry, fish, peanut butter.
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Pyridoxine Food Sources: Liver, herring and salmon, wheat germ and whole grains, lean meats.
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Folacin Food Sources: Liver, wheat bran, whole grains, spinach and other green leafy vegetables, legumes, orange juice.
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Cyanocobalamin (B12) Food Sources: Foods of animal origin, specially prepared fermented yeasts, and fortified soy products.
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Biotin Food Sources: Egg Yolk, liver, and legumes.
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Pantothenic Acid Food Sources: Eggs, liver, wheat bran, peanuts, legumes, lean meats, spinach, and other vegetables.
Athletes and individuals with poor or restricted diets should consider taking a multivitamin or mineral supplement along with a B-Vitamin Complex. However, it is a good idea to talk with your doctor or pharmacist prior to adding any multi-vitamins or supplements to your diet.
In a recent study performed at Oregon State University and published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism discovered that active individuals lacking in B-vitamins - including college athletes and other elite competitors — may perform worse during high-intensity exercise and have a decreased ability to repair and build muscle than counterparts with nutrient-rich diets. The study indicated that even a small deficiency in B-Vitamins had an adverse effect on performance and recovery. Of course this would vary based on the type and intensity of the exercise, nutrient depletion during exercise and individual differences in diet. The study further cited that the current USRDA for B-Vitamins may be inadequate.
Given the above research and the general safety of taking B-Vitamins we think it deserves a second look for athletes who want to enhance their athletic performance.
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