People often ask me why they or their athletes need supplementation, even if they are eating a wholesome diet. This isn’t a simple question to answer and hopefully I’ll cover all the bases.
First, the current body of research indicates that our food is nutritionally degraded because of our current farming techniques. So, even if you have the best diet on the planet, the foods we eat just aren’t providing us with the nutrients we need. Additionally, I have yet to meet an athlete who has the time to sit and eat a proper meal on a regular basis. We are a culture of convenience and many of us are on the “grab and go” diet plan. Consequently, I strongly believe we all need supplementation but athletes are especially in need of additional supplies of vitamins and minerals because of the additional stress placed on their bodies by training and competition.
If we are eating for maximum performance, or just for general health, we need to supplement in order to provide our bodies the nutrients to: Recover, prevent cramping, prevent inflammation naturally, and mop up free radicals generated by exercise and just living!