Do you count, keep track, know if you are getting enough micronutrients, vitamins and minerals that help us get the best energy out of macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates and fats) ? Micronutrients play a vital role, you should know which you might be deficient or have excess off (more is not always better), and how they are impacting how you feel and your performance. 

Performance

Micro-Nutrients are electrolytes (sodium, calcium, potassium and magnesium) that are lost in sweat. Lack of electrolytes can cause cramping which can put an end to a training session or a cause you to not finish a race. Good sources are eating a variety of whole food forms, including colorful fruits and veggies, nuts and legumes in enough volume.

For athletes, it’s important that is you are having symptoms of anemia and micro and macro nutrients work as a system and one symptom can be caused by a deficiency in a variety of minerals, not just Iron. If you are have excess fatigue, don’t just take Iron, know if you are lacking in Iron. Fatigue can also mean low Vitamin D.

Symptoms that you might be low in micronutrient include the following

• Bruise easily
• Hair loss
• Extra, unexplainable fatigue (Low Iron)
• Inability to sleep
• Unexplained depression 
• Brian fog

How do you know you are getting enough? 

Paying attention to symptoms, when you don’t feel right. Annual blood test. Diet analysis with a registered dietitian.

Don’t wait till you are feeling symptoms to know if you are low or have excess in a micronutrient. I get my biomarkers tested annual and pay extra to look at levels of Vitamin D, Iron and B12. I am not into taking supplements for the sake of taking supplements, I want to know what I need and why. Check out InsideTracker to learn more about BioMarkers and use code WENDYPRO25 to get 25% off.