Yes, protein is very important, and drinking your protein shakes is crucial for getting stacked, but there are three micronutrients that are just as vital to your growth, and indeed your overall health. Read on to find out which three vitamins are the most important, and where you can find them.
Which 3 Vitamins?
Vitamins are a necessary part of your body’s performance in general. You can get most of them from a normal, balanced diet, but there are three that you may need to have in larger quantities, or supplement, for optimal athletic performance. These are iron, calcium, and vitamin D.
Make sure you are getting enough of these essential vitamins to maximize your gains.
Iron
When you are training hard and your muscles are growing rapidly, this can deplete your iron levels. This can lead to iron deficiency, which can leave you feeling weak, queasy, and unwell. It also inhibits muscle function and impairs further growth, therefore limiting your potential and your performance.
You can get iron from a balanced diet, and it can be found in both animal and plant-based sources. It is most abundant in red meats like beef and lamb, but lentils, beans, and peas are another good source of it.
Did you know that vitamin C helps absorb iron? Vitamins work together to keep your body healthy.
Vitamin D
This essential mineral helps the immune system, prevents low mood, and also boosts athletic performance, and promotes healthy muscle growth. Importantly, it also works together with other minerals to do so and can be viewed as something of a vitamin-building block.
It can be tricky to get enough vitamin D, depending on where you are in the world since most of it comes from sunshine. If you live somewhere where it is often cloudy, it is recommended that you take a daily vitamin D supplement. This will ensure you don’t end up vitamin D deficient.
Calcium
This vitamin helps grow strong and healthy bones. Strong bones are crucial for muscle growth because they are the apparatus that supports the muscle. You will be able to perform higher impact activities and grow faster with calcium.
If you are restricting calories or cutting out dairy products, then calcium deficiency is likely. Therefore, it is recommended that if you are doing so, you take a calcium supplement.
Building A Strong Body
Bodybuilding should be about feeling great. It’s not just about looking great. Make sure you are taking care of your health and being responsible while working out. This means taking the correct number of supplements and not overdosing. Chances are, it will work against you if you take too much.
If you are unsure, then speak to a doctor or dietician to get the amounts right, depending on your training and your body. Remember: Everyone has different dietary and nutritional needs.
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