Minerals for a successful back-to-school season

According to ANSES, minerals represent 4% of body weight. Just like vitamins, minerals are essential for the proper functioning of the body and its athletic performance. These micronutrients are present in small quantities in our body, so it is important to supplement in addition to a rich and balanced diet.  

Contents :  

• What are minerals used for?  
• Back-to-school minerals

What are minerals used for?  

Minerals are essential for our health, especially through their control of the water balance in the body. They maintain the strength of the bones, the muscular, enzymatic and nervous system and the immune defense. Some minerals combine with vitamins to balance needs, so it is as important to have a diet rich in minerals as in vitamins.  

Back-to-school minerals  

Zinc

Present in small quantities in the body, zinc stimulates the immune defences, participates in protein synthesis and therefore improves sports performance. It also has an action on fertility and reproduction by maintaining normal testosterone levels. Zinc keeps bones, hair, nails, skin, teeth and eyes healthy. It also plays a role in cognitive functions.  

Zinc is found in sesame, pine nuts, pecans, egg yolk, red meat and sunflower seeds.  

Iron

Iron is one of the most important minerals to fight against fatigue, increase intellectual abilities and concentration. It also strengthens the immune system and the nervous system and allows the assimilation of vitamin B12. The people most vulnerable to iron deficiency are women and vegetarians.  

Iron is present in quantities000 in red meat, black pudding, legumes, seaweed or even black molasses.  

Selenium

Selenium improves sports performance by lowering the rate of oxidative stress. Indeed, its antioxidant properties not only protect the cells but also the muscles by reducing physical damage. It is a mineral that is also involved in immune defense and hormone regulation.  

Some examples of foods containing selenium are: tuna and other fatty fish, Brazil nuts and oysters.  

Potassium Citrate  

Derived from potassium, potassium citrate is an ionic salt absorbed more quickly by the body. It contributes to the proper functioning of the muscles and the nervous system. It plays a role in the production of energy by transporting glucose into the muscles and regulates bodily fluids.  

Potassium citrate is consumed only as a dietary supplement. However, potassium is found in bananas, beans, dried fruits and fish.  

Magnesium citrate

It is the ideal form of magnesium to take before a workout. It meets the greedy needs of the sportsman in magnesium, increases the force and the physical resistance and protects the blood vessels by thinning the blood. In addition, it helps prevent kidney stones.  

Magnesium in citrate form is only available as a dietary supplement, however magnesium is found in cooked beans, boiled spinach or artichokes, herbs and dehydrated seaweed.  

ZMP (Zinc Magnesium Pidolates)

This synergy of components acts on sleep. Together, these minerals relax the body, relax muscles and lower stress levels by 30%. At Nutrimuscle, there is ZMP, an alternative version of ZMB (without vitamin B6) to avoid the state of excitement before bedtime and benefit from restful sleep post-workout. Together, these three components guarantee optimal sports performance and combat muscle fatigue.