ABSTRACT
Vitamins and trace elements play many roles with regard to physical activity, including sports and exercise. All of the nutrients that function in energy metabolism, either directly or indirectly, also function in physical performance. Folate functions in nucleic acid synthesis and is a component of several enzymes involved in amino acid metabolism. Choline was classified as an essential nutrient by the Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences in 1998 and AIs were established for this nutrient. Iron deficiency, the most prevalent single nutrient deficiency worldwide, reduces the amount of oxygen available for aerobic metabolism, thus limiting an individual’s endurance. In anemia, caused by iron deficiency among other nutrient deficiencies and pathological conditions, the amount of oxygen transported by hemoglobin in blood is low. Chromium functions in the maintenance of blood glucose levels by potentiating the activity of insulin. Chromium excretion is influenced by the stress of exercise as well as diets high in mono-and disaccharides.
