Regardless of whether you are into swimming, running, cycling or all three of these sports, if you train or even compete on a regular basis you are frequently pushing your body to its limits.
In order to achieve optimum performance your system relies on a sufficient supply of oxygen and energy – both in return are highly dependent on one of the crucial elements: iron.
Iron is needed for a number of complex processes which continuously take place on a molecular level and which are indispensable and directly linked to exercise:
• the sufficient supply of oxygen
• the conversion of blood sugar to energy
• a quick recovery following strenuous training or competing
Insufficient iron intake from your diet can lead to iron depletion. As a result, athletes who have not been able to provide their bodies with the recommended daily amount (RDA) may experience a:
*VO2max is a test which measures aerobic capacity, that is oxygen uptake at maximum physical exertion usually on a treadmill or cycle ergometer.
Did you know?
Cardiovascular efficiency resulting in lower heart rates during phases of rest is a well-known phenomena in fit endurance athletes. However in a system that is depleted of iron the development of red blood cells may be compromised resulting in newly produced cells that are smaller in size with a decreased amount of haemoglobin. Those cells' ability to transport oxygen is diminished which can lead to your heart having to beat faster (particularly during exercise!) in order to make up for the reduced amount of oxygen that an iron-depleted system carries.
Note: if you experience heart palpitations please consult your health care professional.
As an athlete you lose iron through sweating, footstrike haemolysis in
runners (repeated pounding of the feet on hard surfaces which can destroy red blood cells) and natural wastage.
The highest loss of iron per day in top class athletes can be up to a staggering 2mg! In women, menstruation also increases the body’s demand for iron.
Athletes with increased needs for iron and lower iron intakes (e.g. vegetarians) are at a higher risk of developing iron depletion. This is also true for younger athletes who have not yet completed adolescence.
Iron from food sources is difficult to absorb for the human body with many components in iron-rich foods inhibiting the absorption of iron.
Spatone is a 100% natural iron supplement that has been scientifically shown to provide iron with a higher bioavailability than conventional iron tablets or multivitamin formulations containing iron.
Because of this unique bioavailability, Spatone has also been scientifically shown to cause fewer of the side effects that are often experienced with iron supplementation such as constipation or nausea.
Today Spatone is recognised and used among an increasing number of professional and amateur, male and female athletes who want to go the extra mile.
Praise for Spatone
"At the start of 2011 I was devastated having run almost 30 seconds slower than my personal best and soon found out that I had low iron levels. With the help of Spatone, I was able to build my haemoglobin and ferritin levels back up to a normal level. Continuing to use Spatone, I maintained these levels through winter and took 5 seconds off my personal best for 800m this year. This led to achievements such as English U20 Champion, 4th at the Olympic Trials and 6th in the World Junior Championships. As a medical student, I also understand how important it is to use natural supplementation to help top up iron levels and I am very grateful to have the support of Spatone. Thank you for helping me to achieve my goals in athletics."
Emily Dudgeon
"I am an international rower for Great Britain who has been using Spatone for the past couple of months. I have seen great improvements in my energy levels and training results without experiencing any of the side effects I was struggling with when taking iron tablets."
L.Greenhalgh, Cuddesdon
Females endurance athletes (in particular runners!) and male and female vegetarian athletes are at a higher risk of iron depletion. A blood test undertaken by your doctor can examine the concentration of haemoglobin in your blood and the amount of stored iron in your blood stream (ferritin blood concentration) to establish if you need to actively include more iron in your diet or dietary supplementation.
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