More recently, Novakova et al. Importantly, there was no effect on muscle function, energy metabolism, or VO 2 during either submaximal or maximal exercise tests. It is likely that the lack of efficacy of oral L-carnitine supplementation in many studies is due to its low bioavailability and failure to increase muscle carnitine stores.

However, Stephens, Evans, et al. In a follow-up study Wall et al. Therefore, given the limited research in this space, and the considerable effort needed to implement such a protocol, further investigation is needed to clarify the efficacy and safety of following these prolonged supplement regimes.

This section covers supplements which are emerging in both their popularity and the evidence base for athletic performance benefits. However, more work is needed before conclusive recommendations can be made on their use, and there may be some differences in the principles or mechanisms by which they could be of value.

The performance supplements outlined in the prior sections are presented in view of a strong evidence base to reflect a direct impact on athletic performance through the augmentation of various rate-limiting processes.

However, other supplements may have an indirect impact on performance via their ability to support the training process, through their influence on factors such as inflammatory modulation, oxidative stress, and signaling pathways for adaptation, or their ability to support repetitive performance by restoring homeostasis between two exercise bouts.

Such an outcome may impact athlete performance—for instance, if the supplement protocol targets an improvement in fatigue resistance during heavy competition schedules.

Similarly, food polyphenols may act in a comparable way, possessing strong anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties see Tsao, that may be beneficial to exercise recovery.

For instance, the high anthocyanin content of tart Montmorency cherries has been shown to reduce the inflammatory and oxidative stress responses to marathon running Howatson et al. Of note, only blood biomarkers were presented in these aforementioned studies to suggest such a benefit and, therefore, these outcomes should be further confirmed by muscle analysis in future research.

Of note, there are several issues that make it more difficult to substantiate the performance benefits of these supplements. One factor is that it may take a lengthy period before better recovery between exercise bouts or better support of training leads to a detectable improvement in competition performance.

For example, previous research on supplementation with anti-oxidant vitamins i. As such, the ultimate benefit of the use of these supplements may depend on how and when they are used; for example, they might be used in scenarios of repeated competition events to reduce exercise perturbations and enhance recovery and subsequent performance, but avoided during training bouts where optimal adaptation is driven by full exposure to oxidative or inflammatory stress.

Alternatively, some supplements may affect a number of body systems, with positive effects on one system counteracting the minor negative effects on another.

For example, although they are considered to have anti-oxidant properties, some polyphenol subclasses e. Furthermore, numerous food polyphenols are also suggested to have a direct effect on performance, potentially a result of mechanisms relevant to flow mediated dilatation, NO production, and adenosine receptor antagonism effects Somerville et al.

However, clearly in its infancy, there exists a need for further research exploring these emerging supplements to fully examine the effects and potential efficacy of their ability to support the training process, and to provide a direct positive impact on athletic performance.

This review summarizes the evidence for a number of commonly-used supplements, ingested with the aim of enhancing athletic performance. This should be further viewed in light of the marginal, but often important, gains that may be achieved through sound use of these products, as well as practical considerations such as a lack of uniform tolerance and response to a given supplement.

As such, any use of performance supplements should be thoroughly trialed in training before implementation into a competition environment, since, in some scenarios, outcomes ranging from a lack of efficacy to deleterious responses may outweigh any expected performance enhancement.

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Schilling , B. Creatine supplementation and health variables: A retrospective study. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Medical News Today only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. A balanced diet and healthful lifestyle that includes enough sleep should be sufficient to give most people the energy that they need for their daily activities.

However, athletes push their bodies to peak performance, so these individuals may need an energy boost. In this article, we provide information on six vitamins and supplements that can help athletes beat fatigue and perform at their best.

B vitamins are vital for releasing energy in the body as they aid the metabolism of carbohydrates , fats, and proteins. Although being deficient in one or several B vitamins can affect how well a person can exercise, there is little evidence to suggest that unnecessarily taking supplements will improve performance.

As a result, it is best to see a doctor to undergo testing before choosing to take a B vitamin supplement. Female athletes may be at risk for deficiencies in B vitamins, which include:.

Having a vitamin B deficiency can make people feel weak and tired. As vitamin B primarily occurs in animal products, vegans and vegetarians are more likely to develop a deficiency in this vitamin.

Learn how to incorporate vitamin B into a vegetarian or vegan diet here. Iron deficiency is common in athletes and can affect performance, according to some research.

While it can occur in males, this deficiency is more common in females, especially those in endurance sports. Additional research found that low iron levels can cause many adverse symptoms in female athletes, including reducing endurance and increasing the amount of energy that the body uses.

The authors suggested that people could take supplements to reduce these effects, but only if dietary changes could not meet their needs. They also note that people following vegetarian or vegan diets should take extra care to ensure that they meet their required daily intake of iron, as plant-based iron is less available to the body.

People should speak to a doctor before taking iron supplements and be sure to request a blood test to check their iron levels. Taking too much iron can cause uncomfortable and even dangerous side effects.

Calcium and vitamin D help the body build and maintain healthy bones, teeth, and muscles. These vitamins can help athletes maintain muscle mass and reduce the risk of injuries, such as bone fractures. Studies have shown an association between low levels of coenzyme Q10 and increased fatigue.

Coenzyme Q10 is an enzyme in the mitochondria, which are the parts of cells that generate energy. Experts have linked some conditions with lower levels of coenzyme Q10 in the body, including:. The authors of a review stated that studies have consistently associated low levels of coenzyme Q10 with fatigue.

However, they noted that the results were difficult to interpret, as research papers vary in their definition of fatigue. The research on whether coenzyme Q10 supplementation is useful for athletes has produced mixed results.

For example, a study of moderately trained men found no evidence that it benefitted their exercise capacity.

For more in-depth resources about vitamins, minerals, and supplements, visit our dedicated hub. Some athletes use creatine because it is a legal nutritional aid for sports performance. People can get creatine from red meat and seafood, but it is also available as a supplement.

Research has shown that supplementing with creatine can increase muscle mass and improve strength when a person combines it with strength training. Older adults may also be able to use creatine to increase their lean muscle mass and muscle strength.

Commercial supplements often combine creatine with other substances. Researchers have found that a creatine supplement that also contained caffeine, taurine, and amino acids helped athletes feel focused and increased the time that it took for them to feel exhausted.

It is important to note that some of the funding for this study came from companies that make supplements and other products. Ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic herb.

A study explored the effects of ashwagandha on endurance in healthy athletic men and women. People who received the root extract of ashwagandha had a significant increase in physical endurance after 8 and 12 weeks of treatment compared with the participants receiving a placebo.

Another study tested the effects of ashwagandha on the endurance of elite cyclists. After 8 weeks of treatment, the cyclists taking ashwagandha took longer to feel exhausted doing a treadmill test than the cyclists who received a placebo.

Vitamins and supplements can be a safe way for athletes to try to improve their performance, but more research is necessary to determine the effectiveness of some supplements.

It is crucial to speak to a doctor before starting to take any new vitamins or other supplements. These substances can interact with other medications that a person might be taking. Taking too much of some supplements, such as iron, can cause adverse side effects.

Also, some vitamins may be ineffective unless a person has an existing deficiency. A doctor can test for vitamin deficiencies and advise on how to correct them if necessary. People who feel as though they have low energy despite exercising regularly may wish to consider other aspects of their routine before taking supplements.

Eating a balanced, nutritious diet and getting enough sleep may also boost athletic performance.

A study explored the effects of ashwagandha on endurance in healthy athletic men and women. People who received the root extract of ashwagandha had a significant increase in physical endurance after 8 and 12 weeks of treatment compared with the participants receiving a placebo.

Another study tested the effects of ashwagandha on the endurance of elite cyclists. After 8 weeks of treatment, the cyclists taking ashwagandha took longer to feel exhausted doing a treadmill test than the cyclists who received a placebo. Vitamins and supplements can be a safe way for athletes to try to improve their performance, but more research is necessary to determine the effectiveness of some supplements.

It is crucial to speak to a doctor before starting to take any new vitamins or other supplements. These substances can interact with other medications that a person might be taking. Taking too much of some supplements, such as iron, can cause adverse side effects.

Also, some vitamins may be ineffective unless a person has an existing deficiency. A doctor can test for vitamin deficiencies and advise on how to correct them if necessary. People who feel as though they have low energy despite exercising regularly may wish to consider other aspects of their routine before taking supplements.

Eating a balanced, nutritious diet and getting enough sleep may also boost athletic performance. Athletes following vegetarian and vegan diets may need to take particular care to ensure that they are obtaining enough of the above nutrients through their diet.

Although a healthful diet and regular exercise can reduce fatigue, some vitamins and supplements can also boost energy.

Learn which ones may have…. In this edition of Medical Myths, we tackle some persistent myths about supplements, including multivitamins, probiotics, and antioxidants. Vitamin A supplements come in many different forms, but a person should check with their doctor which form and dosage will best suit them.

Read more…. Vitamin B complex supplements may help to prevent vitamin B deficiency. Learn more here. HUM nutrition offers a range of products to support a person's health.

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Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. Vitamins and supplements for athletes. Medically reviewed by Miho Hatanaka, RDN, L.

B vitamins Iron Calcium and vitamin D Coenzyme Q10 Creatine Ashwagandha Summary. How we vet brands and products Medical News Today only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?

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Read more about our vetting process. Was this helpful? B vitamins. Share on Pinterest A number of of vitamins and supplements may provide athletes with an added energy boost. Calcium and vitamin D.

Coenzyme Q Further resources For more in-depth resources about vitamins, minerals, and supplements, visit our dedicated hub. How we reviewed this article: Sources. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations.

We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles.

You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Share this article. Latest news Ovarian tissue freezing may help delay, and even prevent menopause. Most sports supplement claim to help athletes in some way. But research shows that only a few supplements have proven benefits for athletes.

Sports supplements are considered dietary supplements. Dietary supplements are products taken by mouth to support the diet. Dietary supplements do not need U. Food and Drug Administration FDA approval before they are sold.

Companies that make supplements are supposed to follow the FDA's current good manufacturing practices to ensure quality and safety of their product. But this doesn't always happen and some supplements may contain drugs or additives not listed on the label.

Creatine pronounced: KREE-eh-teen is a substance made in the body. It is involved in making energy for muscle contractions. Man-made creatine is sold as a powder or pill and in energy bars and drink mixes. Studies show that it can help athletes who do sports that have short bursts of intense exercise with short recovery times such as sprinting and powerlifting.

Few studies have looked at the long-term safety of creatine use by teens. Some research shows that it can harm the kidneys. Doctors usually recommend it be used only by athletes over 18 years old. Amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, help build muscle.

Amino acids used as supplements include glutathione, cysteine, arginine, leucine, glutamine, and citrulline. They're usually sold as a pill or powder. Ads for amino acid supplements say they improve endurance, lower protein breakdown, and reduce soreness from exercise.

But most studies do not show benefits to taking amino acid supplements. Some amino acid supplements may cause serious side effects. There aren't enough long-term studies to know if amino acid supplements are safe for teens.

Most protein supplements are made of the proteins casein and whey. The supplements usually come as powders that can be mixed with water, milk, milk substitute, or other liquid.

Protein supplements are often advertised as a way to build muscle. But most people get all the protein they need in their diet. A protein supplement may help someone who doesn't get enough protein in their diet. This can happen:. In general, protein supplements do not seem to cause serious side effects.

In high doses, they can cause:. As with other supplements, long-term studies in teens haven't been done. Most doctors agree that it is best for teens to get their protein from their diet. There is some evidence that caffeine can boost sports performance. Caffeine is in many products, including energy drinks , soda, energy chews, and pills.

It is important to remember that many of the claims that sports supplement companies make are not proven.