One of the most important aspects of muscle recovery after intense exercise is proper replenishment with micronutrients. ''Micronutrients'' is an umbrella term that includes vitamins and trace minerals. Minerals are inorganic nutrients; that is, nutrients that are not derived from living matter. Trace minerals, such as vanadium, are minerals that are present in foodstuffs at very low levels, and the human body requires them for its proper function in minuscule amounts. Vanadium fits this profile perfectly.

The role of vanadium in human health began to be taken seriously only in the late 1970s. The interest in vanadium was piqued in early 1980s when research showed that it helps to maintain sugar levels already within the normal range in the blood.

It is known that essential trace elements help to maintain normal carbohydrate metabolism. When people eat large amounts of carbohydrates, it can cause the sugar levels in the blood to increase. The large amounts of sugars are not cleared efficiently and promptly. This can, and does, happen with advancing years when the sugar is not properly and efficiently metabolized. Increased sugar levels in the blood can chemically change the proteins in the blood so that they cannot carry out their functions. These modified proteins become ''hot spots'' for free radicals.

Equally important, vanadium supplementation also helps athletes to maintain the levels of this essential trace mineral necessary for quick muscle recovery after high intensity workout.

Ultimate Nutrition's Vanadyl Sulfate is the nutritional supplement manufactured with an eye on the unique health needs of both power athletes and the aging baby boomer.