LAUSR

Micronutrients, including vitamins and minerals, are integral in supporting energy creation through various metabolic pathways (1). Under strenuous exercise, there is an increased demand on metabolic pathways, leading to free-radical production and cellular DNA damage. Despite the increased need for energy production during exercise, gut absorption of micronutrients is decreased, and loss of micronutrients from sweat, urine, and stool is increased (2).Micronutrients are largely, adequately obtained via diet alone, with the greatest concern for micronutrient deficiencies in those athletes with suboptimal or restrictive diets. Supplementation of micronutrients is reserved for those who have clinical pathology, secondary to micronutrient deficiency (1). In this article, we will discuss micronutrients in terms of their daily recommended intake (DRI), physiologic role, and symptoms of deficiency, with an emphasis on those micronutrients (vitamin D, iron, calcium, and antioxidants) that most commonly benefit from supplementation (1).