Minerals
Minerals for athletes
Alongside vitamins, minerals are among the essential nutrients that are vital for us. We need to consume them every day to stay fit and energised. If you have problems with nutrient absorption, you can supplement your diet with minerals.
We cannot do without minerals. Like vitamins, they are among the basic building blocks of the human body. Calcium, potassium and magnesium are among the best-known minerals. Minerals ensure that muscles and nerves function optimally, and they are also involved in building teeth and bones and regulating blood pressure.
Why do we need minerals?
Minerals are an indispensable part of our body. They fulfil vital functions and help to keep the body healthy. Without minerals, a number of biochemical processes would simply break down. As the body is not able to produce minerals, we have to obtain them through our diet.
Trace elements and minerals - when are they particularly important?
The need for minerals is particularly high in stressful situations. As soon as we are stressed, our metabolism runs at full speed, so we generally consume more minerals than usual. Athletes also have an increased need for minerals, which they often cannot cover through their diet. Many minerals are simply excreted through sweat, so the risk of mineral deficiency is particularly high.
As soon as the deficit is not compensated for, this can lead to a loss of performance or health restrictions. Other possibilities that can lead to a mineral deficiency are
Diarrhoea
inflammatory bowel diseases
unbalanced diet
vegetarian or vegan diet
incorrect food preparation
incorrect storage of food
Minerals and trace elements: What are the differences?
Minerals, also known as bulk elements, are essential for our body. They make up more than 0.01 per cent of our body mass, which is why we need to take in more than 100 milligrams. Minerals include
Magnesium
Potassium
Calcium
Phosphorus
Sodium
Minerals equalise the pH value, which is why they play a major role in regulating the acid-base balance. They also help to balance blood pressure while supporting muscle and nerve function.
In contrast to the bulk elements, trace elements only occur as "traces" in the human body. Less than 100 milligrams are needed to maintain a level of less than 0.01 milligrams of body mass. Trace elements are involved in many enzymatic and hormonal reactions and are also an important component of many proteins.
Trace elements include
Zinc
Iron
Chromium
Copper
Selenium
Fluorine
Molybdenum
Manganese
Iodine
Discover our large selection of high-quality minerals in the Vikingstore.