Abstract:
The author asserts that her study indicated that "three months of active [vitamin and mineral] supplementation:- "i) did not significantly alter the maximal oxygen consumption, maximal heart rate, peak treadmill running speed, lactate turnpoint or 15 km time-trial time; "ii) did not significantly alter any haematological parameters which have been shown to be related to physical fitness and work capacity; and "iii) significantly altered mean serum levels of riboflavin and pyridoxine. The mean serum vitamin and mineral levels were normal at the start of the trial, and remained so throughout the trial with the exception of serum pyridoxine levels which were abnormally elevated after the active medication phase. "iv) There were also no signs or symptoms of serious toxic side-effects apart from mild gastrointestinal disturbances. "iv) Dietary analysis showed that the athletes' mean daily intake of all vitamins and minerals was above the Recommended Daily Allowances for adult males. "I therefore conclude," she writes, "that although the mean blood levels of two vitamins and minerals increased significantly after multi-vitamin and mineral supplementation, this was not reflected in a measurable improvement in athletic performance in this group of athletes whose vitamin and mineral status was initially normal. The failure of all the blood vitamin and mineral levels to increase with supplementation may be the result of previously-documented interactions between the various components of the multi-vitamin and mineral supplement studied. There was no evidence of significant toxic side-effects from the chronic ingestion of this supplement."
