Top 9 Vitamins & Supplements for Runners

Running is a fun, healthy way to get your heart pumping! If you're a runner, you're putting good effort towards taking care of yourself, but do you know what vitamins and supplements are especially important? Supplementing your diet with specific vitamins and minerals can help fill in possible nutrient gaps, help ensure your body has everything it needs to run, and help your support your muscles after exercise! Runners looking for supplements should look to Nature Made®, the #1 pharmacist-recommended vitamin and supplement brand.* Our ingredients are sourced from high-quality materials, so you runners know you can trust the supplements you're taking! We're here to help people who enjoy physical activity live their lives to the fullest.†

Why Supplementation is Important for Runners

Whether you're practicing for a half marathon, a 10K, or just getting out in the fresh air, it's essential to make sure your body and muscles get the nutrients it needs for peak performance. The best way to get essential vitamins and nutrients is through diet, so choosing nutritious food is key! But it can be challenging to fulfill every nutrient need daily; that's where supplements come in. Nature Made® supplements can help cover these nutrient gaps, giving you peace of mind so you can just think about the next quarter-mile.

Key Vitamins & Supplements for Runners

Always consult your primary care provider or other medical professional when starting or changing a supplement routine. For those runners looking for advice on where to start, our team has compiled a list of the top 9 supplements for runners!

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is our first recommendation for vitamins for runners. This essential vitamin supports bone health by helping to improve Calcium absorption, and it supports muscle and immune health, too! Nature Made® Vitamin D3 Softgels provide 50 mcg of Vitamin D3, the body's preferred form of Vitamin D. For more information, check out our Vitamin D and Calcium for Bone Health blog!†

Iron

Iron is vital for red blood cell formation, and it helps transport oxygen from your lungs throughout your body. Any runner knows how important that is! Iron is found naturally in lean meat, fish, lentils, and spinach, but if you want to supplement the iron in your diet, check out Nature Made® Iron Gummies with Vitamin C for a tasty dose!†

Magnesium

Magnesium is a mineral with many roles. In addition to supporting heart and nerve health, Magnesium also helps support muscle relaxation and bone health, which may be of particular interest to those with an active disposition! Nature Made® High Absorption Magnesium Citrate Gummies offer a tasty way to get your daily dose with Mixed Berry and other natural flavors. For more information on how this all works, check out Magnesium for Muscles: How It Supports Muscle Health.†

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

The heart is one muscle that always gets a workout when you're out running, so give it the support it needs! Heart-healthy Omega-3 Fatty Acids come in various forms to fit your preference, from Nature Made® Fish Oil Softgels to Fish Oil Gummies with Strawberry, Orange, and Lemon flavors!†

Vitamin B12

Runners get their energy from eating healthy. So, it makes sense they'd want to get the most out of their food! Vitamin B12 helps convert food into cellular energy and plays an essential part in the body's cellular energy metabolism, so it’s a great choice of vitamins for runners. Our Vitamin B12 Softgels provide the B12 support you need in one daily softgel! For more information on how this works, check out our blog "What is Cellular Energy and Why is it Important?"†

Melatonin

One of the keys to a productive day is good sleep! Melatonin helps you fall asleep faster so you can wake up refreshed and ready for the day. After a long day's run, getting a good night's rest can get some support with Nature Made® Wellblends™ Sleep & Recover™ Gummies. Including 3 benefits in 1 blend with ingredients powered by science, this product provides relaxing sleep support with Magnesium, Melatonin, and L-theanine to support restful sleep and your body's natural recovery.‡†

Calcium 

Calcium is so famous for its bone health support that it's almost a cliche. In this case, the hype is real; Calcium is an essential nutrient that helps support strong bones and teeth. You can find Calcium in yogurt, cheese, and green vegetables like broccoli and kale. For additional support, Nature Made® offers Calcium with Vitamin D3 Tablets. They provide Calcium for bone health, and Vitamin D3 to help improve Calcium absorption. Pretty clever, right?†

Potassium

Some call the banana the "Runner's Fruit"; it's portable, tasty, and filled with Potassium. I may have just made that name up, but that doesn't mean it's not true! Potassium is an essential mineral that helps support heart function and healthy muscle function. Potassium also helps manage fluid balance, and it's an electrolyte, something that runners may be quite familiar with. Potassium can be a great supplement for runners! Nature Made® Potassium Gluconate Tablets provide 90 mg of Potassium in one daily tablet.†

Choline

Choline is a B Vitamin that helps make acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that supports muscle control. Choline-rich foods like beef, liver and eggs can provide a dietary source; for another tasty source, try Nature Made® Choline Gummies with 300 mg in two daily Green Apple gummies.†

Personalized Supplement Strategies for Runners

Whether you're starting a new supplement routine or just making a few changes to a preexisting one, it's always best to consult with your primary care provider or another healthcare professional. When choosing supplements, always consider your diet; supplements are intended to help fill possible nutrient gaps in your diet, so some nutrients may not be necessary if you cover those gaps by eating nutritious foods.

When to Take Nature Made® Supplements

Nature Made® recommends taking your daily supplements with cold or room-temperature water and a meal. Picking a regular meal, like breakfast or dinner, to take your supplements alongside helps keep your routine regular and ensures you always take them with water and food for best absorption.

* Based on a survey of pharmacists who recommend branded vitamins and supplements

‡Supplements Melatonin, a hormone found naturally in the body.

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.