ABSTRACT
I. Introduction ...................................................................................... 277 II. The Effect of a Vegetarian Diet on Performance.......................... 279 III. Special Concerns for Athletes on Vegetarian Diets ...................... 282
A. Iron, Zinc, and Trace Minerals................................................. 283 B. Antioxidant Status...................................................................... 286 C. Protein and Creatine ................................................................. 287 D. Hormonal Alterations ................................................................ 289
IV. Conclusion........................................................................................ 290 References .................................................................................................. 292
Since the time of the ancient Greeks, athletes and their coaches have practiced special dietary regimens to improve performance and gain a competitive edge over their competitors.
