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Review
. 2022 Jan 23;19(3):1249.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph19031249.

The Biological Role of Vitamins in Athletes' Muscle, Heart and Microbiota

Mariarita Brancaccio  1 , Cristina Mennitti  1 , Arturo Cesaro  2   3 , Fabio Fimiani  4 , Martina Vano  1 , Biagio Gargiulo  1 , Martina Caiazza  5 , Federica Amodio  2 , Iolanda Coto  1 , Giovanni D'Alicandro  6 , Cristina Mazzaccara  1   7 , Barbara Lombardo  1   7 , Raffaela Pero  1   8 , Daniela Terracciano  9 , Giuseppe Limongelli  10 , Paolo Calabrò  2   3 , Valeria D'Argenio  7   11 , Giulia Frisso  1   7 , Olga Scudiero  1   7   8
Affiliations
Review

The Biological Role of Vitamins in Athletes' Muscle, Heart and Microbiota

Mariarita Brancaccio et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Physical activity, combined with adequate nutrition, is considered a protective factor against cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, and intestinal dysbiosis. Achieving optimal performance requires a significantly high energy expenditure, which must be correctly supplied to avoid the occurrence of diseases such as muscle injuries, oxidative stress, and heart pathologies, and a decrease in physical performance during competition. Moreover, in sports activities, the replenishment of water, vitamins, and minerals consumed during training is essential for safeguarding athletes' health. In this scenario, vitamins play a pivotal role in numerous metabolic reactions and some muscle biochemical adaptation processes induced by sports activity. Vitamins are introduced to the diet because the human body is unable to produce these micronutrients. The aim of this review is to highlight the fundamental role of vitamin supplementation in physical activity. Above all, we focus on the roles of vitamins A, B6, D, E, and K in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disorders, muscle injuries, and regulation of the microbiome.

Keywords: athletic performance; cardiac pathologies; gut microbiota; micronutrients; muscle damage; nutrition.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chemical structures and food sources of vitamin A, B6, K, D, and E.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Schematic representation of the interplay between vitamins and athletes’ gut microbiota.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Schematic representation of hypovitaminosis effects and strenuous exercise on the heart.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The role of vitamins in athletes’ muscle damage.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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