Fitness Explorer
by Kay Hess, NASM Certified Fitness Trainer

Q Dear Fitness Explorer

I run, play golf, and lift weights at least four times a week. Would there be any benefit to my overall athletic performance by supplementing my diet with vitamins and minerals?

A Because you are an athlete, you use up more vitamins and minerals than the average person. Nutritionists debate over quantities, the right balance, and even the need for dietary supplements. There are even some nutritionists who still maintain that eating a "balanced diet" will supply you (the athlete) with what you need. The problem is most people today eat less nutritional and more processed food. To get the most out of your performance, you have to supply your body with everything it needs. Sports nutritionists today are starting to define the benefits of vitamin mineral supplementation for active people (athletes). The only way to be sure you're getting the nutrients that you need is to take the appropriate supplements every day. Several vitamin mineral manufacturers today have come out with a daily pack. This is a multi-vitamin/mineral pack that supplies you with your daily quotas. This is much easier than taking each vitamin/mineral supplement individually. To reap the benefits, you must take them religiously on a daily basis, over the course of several months before you will begin to notice change. As I have mentioned in several of my previous columns, visiting a licensed nutritionist, one who specializes in sports nutrition, is the safest way to determine your individual needs.


Always consult your physician before beginning any exercise routine or diet.

• Send questions to: Fitness Explorer, PO Box 471, Apalachin, NY 13732
Kay Hess and her husband Bill, an East Coast Weight Lifting Champion, are well known in the area. Kay has held seminars and has had great success in training both men and women over the last 15 years. She is affiliated with ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association) and certified with NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine).