Endurance runner Reyana Ewing recognized something was amiss physically when she became sluggish during her workouts. She was doing everything right in terms of scheduling her workouts, keeping her fluids up and sleeping regularly. Clued in that the problem may be dietary, she suspected an iron deficiency. As it turns out, a lack of vitamin D was the culprit.
Despite eating a balanced diet and spending lots of time outdoors daily in the California sun, a visit to her doctor revealed dangerously low levels of vitamin D. As she increased her intake, she felt better – and even set a new personal best time in her half-marathon time.
Ewing continued to research vitamin D and was surprised to learn that deficiency is becoming an issue across the globe, without regard to sex, race or athletic condition. She does note that performance athletes should observe optimal nutrient levels in order to best support their workout lifestyle.
For more information on specific concerns related to vitamin D deficiency in endurance athletes, visit the source.
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