Role of Minerals: Enhancing Exercise and Performance
Abstract
The three main forms of energy utilized by our bodies are carbohydrates, fats, and proteins; which can overshadow the role minerals play within our bodies. Minerals provide an important role in whole body metabolism, energy utilization, oxygen transport, and increasing exercise performance. Iron, for example, provides an increase in hemoglobin for transport of oxygen to the red blood cells. Calcium is crucial for bone health; resulting in increased optimal performance. Even with adequate carbohydrate, fat, and protein intake; there is still potential for mineral deficiency. A deficiency in iron can lead to anemia; affecting the whole-body function and drastically decreasing performance. Magnesium, an important mineral to our bodies, also hinders performance when there is a deficiency. Fatigue, muscle cramping, and irregular heartbeat is a few of the symptoms of a magnesium deficiency. It is clear that for humans to perform optimally, a proper intake of minerals is needed. A review of the literature examining minerals and their effects on exercise performance supplied evidence that a few minerals are crucial to performance physically and mentally.
Role of Minerals: Enhancing Exercise and Performance
The three main forms of energy utilized by our bodies are carbohydrates, fats, and proteins; which can overshadow the role minerals play within our bodies. Minerals provide an important role in whole body metabolism, energy utilization, oxygen transport, and increasing exercise performance. Iron, for example, provides an increase in hemoglobin for transport of oxygen to the red blood cells. Calcium is crucial for bone health; resulting in increased optimal performance. Even with adequate carbohydrate, fat, and protein intake; there is still potential for mineral deficiency. A deficiency in iron can lead to anemia; affecting the whole-body function and drastically decreasing performance. Magnesium, an important mineral to our bodies, also hinders performance when there is a deficiency. Fatigue, muscle cramping, and irregular heartbeat is a few of the symptoms of a magnesium deficiency. It is clear that for humans to perform optimally, a proper intake of minerals is needed. A review of the literature examining minerals and their effects on exercise performance supplied evidence that a few minerals are crucial to performance physically and mentally.