Nutritional Supplements in the Spotlight of Sports - An Interview with Dr. Frank Styra

Dr. Frank Styra, as a specialist in orthopedics and physician at the Olympic base in Bavaria, is an authority in the medical care of elite athletes. This is in no small part due to his own extensive experience as a competitive athlete. Dr. Styra completed his training as an orthopedist in prestigious clinics and later specialized in the treatment of elite athletes in one of the leading sports clinics. Today, he co-manages the esteemed Orthopedics at Stiglmaierplatz in Munich, alongside two colleagues. For MITOcare, he illuminates the role of dietary supplements in high-performance sports and provides profound insights into their significance for athletes at the highest level.

MITOcare: Dr. Styra, what physiological reasons underlie the widespread use of dietary supplements in top-level sports?

Dr. Styra: The use of dietary supplements in high-performance sports is based on multifactorial aspects. On one hand, they address the increased metabolic requirements of athletes, induced by intensive training and competitions. They are pivotal in optimizing nutrient supply, which contributes to maintaining and enhancing muscular and cardiovascular performance. Additionally, they play a significant role in regenerative processes, facilitating muscular repair and the replenishment of energy reserves, which are essential for long-term health and performance capability.

The Essential Role of Micronutrients in High-Performance Sports

MITOcare: Which specific dietary supplements do you consider essential for athletes?

Dr. Styra: The basis is an adequate supply of essential micronutrients. In addition, protein supplements, creatine monohydrate, and specific amino acids, such as branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) or L-Glutamine, are often integral to athletes' nutrition plans. However, it is crucial to emphasize that such supplements should only play a supportive role in combination with an already nutrient-rich, balanced diet.

MITOcare: How do you evaluate the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements?

Dr. Styra: The safety and effectiveness of these products are of utmost importance. In my practice, I work closely with nutrition experts and manufacturers to ensure the quality and purity of recommended supplements. It is vital that these products undergo rigorous testing and certification to minimize the risk of contamination or the presence of banned substances.

MITOcare: How do dietary supplements support the recovery of athletes?

Dr. Styra: Recovery is a critical factor in high-performance sports. Dietary supplements can support this process by optimizing muscular repair and growth potential, exerting anti-inflammatory effects, and contributing to the replenishment of glycogen stores.

MITOcare: Are the supplementation approaches different between endurance and strength athletes?

Dr. Styra: Yes, definitely. Endurance athletes often benefit from supplements that enhance mitochondrial energy production and efficiency, like B-vitamins and iron. On the other hand, strength athletes might place a stronger focus on creatine and protein to boost muscle building and strength. An individualized adaptation is essential here.

Supplementation as Complement to a Solid Dietary Foundation

MITOcare: What is a common misconception regarding dietary supplements?

Dr. Styra: A widespread misconception is the assumption that supplements can compensate for a subpar diet. This is a fundamental fallacy. Supplements should be understood as an addition to an already nutrient-rich diet, not as a replacement for poor dietary habits.

MITOcare: You developed a special Ortho-Series together with MITOcare. What motivated this?

Dr. Styra: The MITOcare product range already included various nutrient combinations for various medical areas. However, there were no adequate products in the portfolio for orthopedics. Therefore, there arose the idea to develop specific products tailored to the unique needs of orthopedic care. And, as initially stated, to subject these to testing and certification, like the Cologne List®.

MITOcare: Why are dietary supplements particularly important post-operatively?

Dr. Styra: Post-operatively, the body is in a state of heightened regeneration, which means an increased need for specific nutrients. Dietary supplements can help compensate for these nutrient deficits that might not be covered by normal nutrition alone.

MITOcare: Which types of dietary supplements do you usually recommend following surgical procedures?

Dr. Styra: This varies depending on the type of surgical procedure and the individual needs of the patient. However, protein supplements, essential vitamins like Vitamin C and D, and minerals like iron and zinc are often recommended as they play a central role in wound healing and bone regeneration.

The Medical Consideration of Dietary Supplements

MITOcare: What points of caution or considerations should patients keep in mind when taking dietary supplements?

Dr. Styra: It's crucial that patients do not take dietary supplements independently and without consulting their treating physician. Some supplements can trigger interactions with medications or adversely affect specific health conditions. We medical professionals also need to delve deeper into dietary supplements to identify optimal supplementation for our patients.

MITOcare: How do you assess the timing and duration of supplementation after orthopaedic surgery?

Dr. Styra: The timing and duration of supplementation should be adjusted individually. Normally, supplementation begins shortly after surgery and continues until the patient has fully recovered. Regular review and adjustment with the attending physician is essential.

MITOcare: Do you have any final advice for athletes who are interested in nutritional supplements?

Dr. Styra: My most important advice is to understand the importance of a balanced, nutrient-rich diet. Ideally, the majority of required nutrients should be obtained from food. Supplements should be considered as complementary support, especially for high performance athletes, but also for amateur athletes whose nutritional needs often cannot be met through normal dietary habits alone.

MITOcare: Thank you very much, Dr. Styra, for the enriching insights and your time.

Dr. Styra: It was a pleasure. I hope the understanding of the correct use of nutritional supplements in a sports context will continue to grow.

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About MITOcare

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This statement embodies the credo of MITOcare, the innovation driver in the micronutrient and functional food segment. In product development, we attach great importance to using raw materials of natural origin and bioactive substances as far as possible.
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Founded in 2013, MITOcare is headquartered in Munich and currently employs around 50 people. The company is also a member of the Association of Medium-Sized European Manufacturers and Distributors of Food Supplements & Health Products e.V. (NEM). Further details about us, our philosophy and products can be found at www.mitocare.de.

This release was published on openPR.