Do Fitness Buffs Need More B Vitamins?

The B vitamins include B-1 (thiamine), B-2 (riboflavin), B-3 (niacin), B-9 (folacin) and B-12.  The B vitamins help supply the cells with energy, promote normal growth, improve resistance to infection, increase appetite and repair cells.  Twenty years ago many strength athletes included a vitamin B complex shot in their supplement repertoire.

Athletes today are more sophisticated about nutrition and realized the massive doses of vitamins won’t improve performance.  However, intense training coupled with a poor diet can deplete some B vitamins, which can decrease exercise performance and suppress the immune system.  About 40 percent of Americans take vitamin supplements. 

There’s little evidence to support taking more than a general multivitamin and mineral supplement once a day. (International Journal Sports Nutrition Exercise Metabolism, 16:453-484, 2006)