Vitamins & Minerals Needed for Football Players

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Calcium
Iron
Vitamin C
Vitamin E

Written by Ryan Devon

08 July, 2011

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Success on the football field requires teamwork, dedication, toughness, skill, strength, speed and a proper diet. A healthy diet can help you recover more quickly from football games and practices and gain strength more rapidly. While football players require the same range of vitamins and minerals as non-football players, there are four vitamins and minerals that are especially important for those who spend time on the gridiron.

Calcium

The essential mineral calcium is well known for its role on promoting bone health. Additionally, calcium acts as an electrolyte in muscle cells—helping them contract and relax normally. The University of Montana advises athletes to consume adequate calcium to prevent the stress fractures that commonly plague athletes such as football players. In addition to dairy foods, calcium-rich choices include broccoli, kale, legumes and spinach. The Office of Dietary Supplements recommends 1,000 mg of daily calcium for adults over the age of 18 1 2.

The essential mineral calcium is well known for its role on promoting bone health.

Iron

Can Certain Vitamins Help Weak Leg Muscles?

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Every breath that you take taps into your red blood cells to transport inhaled oxygen around the body. Iron is essential for binding oxygen to red blood cells so they can reach your muscles. The University of Montana adds that iron's other functions include immunity and enzyme function. You can reach your iron intake requirements by consuming adequate amounts of poultry, green leafy vegetables, beans and lean cuts of red meat. Adult men should opt for 8 mg of daily iron and women should consume 18, the ODS reports.

Every breath that you take taps into your red blood cells to transport inhaled oxygen around the body.
You can reach your iron intake requirements by consuming adequate amounts of poultry, green leafy vegetables, beans and lean cuts of red meat.

Vitamin C

Many football players struggle with practicing with sore muscles. While cooling down, stretching and eating a recovery meal can aid in muscle recovery, it may not be enough for some football players. According to the July 2006 "International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism," taking 3 g daily of supplemental vitamin C can reduce muscle soreness in athletes 3. Vitamin C-rich foods include limes, oranges, broccoli and red bell peppers.

Many football players struggle with practicing with sore muscles.
According to the July 2006 "International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism," taking 3 g daily of supplemental vitamin C can reduce muscle soreness in athletes 3.

Vitamin E

Nutritional Cause of Stiff Leg Muscles

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Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that shields your body from the damage caused by oxidation. Oxidation is a natural product of your body's metabolism that can damage and destroy healthy cells. According to Rice University, oxidation is present in higher levels in athletes. They advise athletes to consume adequate vitamin E to offset this effect. They add that the current RDA for vitamin E is 15 International Units for men and 12 International Units for women.