Minerals
Not banned. There is little evidence that iodine, magnesium, phosphorus,
potassium, or selenium are likely to be lacking in most athletes’ diets.
Calcium is not ergogenic. It is
important for general health, and
heavy sweating may increase losses. Many athletes’ and non-athletes’ bone health may benefit form supplemental calcium, Read more about calcium in the free supplement to this book available through at: http://roadbikerider.com/nutritionforsportssupplement.htm
.
Chromium and iron are discussed above and in the free
supplement to this book available at: http://roadbikerider.com/nutritionforsportssupplement.htm
.
Phosphate may improve performance when taken several days
before competition. It may act by buffering lactic acid, increasing glycolysis, and by increasing 2, 3 DPG—an enzyme that helps the blood release its oxygen to muscles. Bicarbonate may have some effect for events up to several minutes in duration by acting as a buffer for lactic acid. Both phosphate and bicarbonate may cause stomach upset and diarrhea.
Read more about phosphates
under phosphorus, athletic
considerations, in the free supplement to this book available at: http://roadbikerider.com/nutritionforsportssupplement.htm
.
Those exercising in the heat may become sodium deficient.
Sodium may limit performance if deficient; it does not improve performance otherwise. Read more
about sodium before, during, and
after events beginning on page
14
.
Read more about sodium, incl
uding the sodium content of
selected foods and hyponatremia starting on page
162
.
Some minerals in excess have been shown to
worsen
performance
Read more about the ergogenic and ergolytic effects of minerals
on page
126
.
Consider phosphates.
Modafinal
Banned. Prescription. A stimulant. May benefit those with daytime sleepiness due to
narcolepsy or other medical disorders. Long-term safety unknown.
Avoid.
Mucuna Prureins
Not banned. Also known as cowitch or velvet beans. May contain L-dopa.
Long-used for impotence and to increase libido.
Studies of effectiveness and toxicity are lacking. Avoid.
Naproxen
Not banned. See NSAIDs. Consider.
Narcotics
Some banned. Some prescription. Codeine, dextromethorphan, lomotil, and imodium are narcotics
or derivatives that may not be banned.
They work by deadening pain. Almost all narcotics worsen aerobic athletic performance
because they depress the central nervous system. Often sedating,
Nutrition for Sports, Essentials of 120
