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Writer's pictureJulian Simpson

Why Iron is Essential for Optimal Athletic Performance

Why Iron is Essential for Optimal Athletic Performance


Iron is an ESSENTIAl mineral


Iron helping your athletic performance
Iron helping your athletic performance

The MAIN TASKS of iron are carrying oxygen in the haemoglobin molecules in red blood cells and in myoglobin in muscle cells.


Other important roles of iron are DNA synthesis and energy metabolism


Signs of Iron Problems

Symptoms of fatigue, reduced concentration and impaired physical performance can occur, mainly due to the lack of oxygen to all the cells in the body , including those of working muscles during exercise


Lets talk about iron deficiency in athletes

It's something not to be alarmed with, iron deficiency in athletes is normal. Athletes are prone to iron deficiency as there is increased losses of iron during training caused by micro ischemia, hemolysis and sweating


Woman are more prone to deficiency due to menstrual bleeding


When to take iron


Research shows that iron absorption after exercise in the morning is better when compared to the afternoon and at a rested state


High doses of VITAMIN D could PREVENT a decline in iron levels as a consequence of training


Research showed VITAMIN B12 was useful in helping with hemoglobin levels


Treatment of Iron Deficiency


For athletes, its recommended that food rich in Vitamin C can increase iron absorption and Polyphenols foods can inhibit iron absorption ( found in coffee, tea and certain plants)


Iron supplementation for the improvement of physical performance should be undertaken with caution because of the possible increased hepcidin response as a result of increased iron levels







 

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Reference

Life (Basel). 2023 Oct; 13(10): 2007. Published online 2023 Oct 2. doi: 10.3390/life13102007 PMCID: PMC10608302 PMID: 37895389

Iron Status and Physical Performance in Athletes

Andrea Solberg1 and Håkon Reikvam2,3,* Ryland Morgans, Academic Editor and Dave Rhodes, Academic Editor

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