Sports Nutrition Supplements - Use With Care

There are a variety of sports nutritionAdministration monitors all supplements and
supplements available for athletes seeking topublishes warnings about products that could put a
improve their performance--whether it's increasingconsumer at risk. As with any product, it is
endurance or building muscle. Nutritionalimportant to be wary of supplements that are
supplements are intended to provide vitamins,advertised as a cure-all or allowing for a
minerals, amino acids, fiber, and/or fatty acidsmiraculous event. Consult with a doctor or
that are not sufficiently present in a person's diet.certified nutritionist before taking any kind of
Supplements for sports nutrition, therefore, offernutritional formula.
athletes the nutrients that they require in greaterThat said, too much of anything--even a good
quantities in order to do well at their sport. Thesething--can be harmful. Most supplements are
supplements can help build muscle, enhanceperfectly fine and even beneficial for your body.
strength, boost metabolism, facilitate recovery,It is the abuse of them that makes them
increase energy and endurance, and generallydeleterious. Remember that the best way to
provide the vitamins and minerals the body needsachieve your desired fitness results is to eat the
to sustain intense energy output.right foods. Most of the nutrition you need can be
While nutritional supplements are usually naturalobtained by a balance diet with plenty of fruits
and intended to help the body achieve balance,and vegetables. Nutritional supplements, however,
there is a risk that people taking the supplementmay be necessary to sustain your energy output
can overdose, especially with sports formulas oror to help strengthen a system in your body. Be
supplements that are intended for weight loss orsafe and use common sense.
other extremes. The U.S. Food and Drug