While different diets may provide the nutrients needed to survive, not all involve being healthy. Fortunately, the “Mediterranean diet” seems to guarantee good health. We consider that a healthy diet that provides 50-65% of calories from carbohydrates (energy source essential in endurance sports and physical activities), 20-35% of calories from fat (5-10% saturated and 5 – 10% 5-10% unsaturated and polyunsaturated fats) and 10-15% of calories from protein (approximately 0.8 g / kg body weight per day in adults and 1.3 g / kg body weight per day in sports growth stages requiring explosive power).
We presume that the intake of nutrients in foods made daily contribute to the energy (carbohydrates, lipids and proteins) and the regulation of metabolism (minerals, vitamins and water). The energy required to maintain vital body functions and to develop a sports physical activity varies greatly from one individual to another, being almost constant in an individual adult. In this sense, energy consumption varies with the type of physical activity and sport developed. On the other hand, deficiencies or excesses of non-energy nutrients reaching impact on the performance of sports physical activities performed.
THE CONCEPT
Vitamins are organic compounds that the body needs for metabolism (with emphasis on health and to ensure proper growth.) Vitamins are also involved in the formation of hormones, blood cells, nervous system chemicals and genetic material. Different vitamins are not chemically related, and often have a different physiological action. Usually act as biocatalysts, combining with proteins to create metabolically active enzymes, which in turn involved in various chemical reactions throughout the body. However, still not entirely clear how certain vitamins act on the body.
Identified human Vitamins are classified according to their ability to dissolve in fat or water. Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) are consumed with foods that contain fat and, because it can be stored in body fat, you do not take them every day. Soluble vitamins, B group and vitamin C, can not be stored and therefore must be consumed frequently, preferably every day (except for certain B vitamins, as we shall see later)
