Journal of Exercise & Organ Cross Talk
Journal of Eexercise & Organ Cross Talk

Micronutrients crosstalk with skeletal muscle during exercise: A review of synergistic interactions

Document Type : Review Articles

Author

Mohammad Samadi

Exercise Physiology Research Center, Life Style Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22122/jeoct.2025.548038.1169
Abstract
Skeletal muscle is a highly plastic organ that undergoes significant metabolic and structural stress during exercise, necessitating precise nutritional support for adaptation and recovery. While the roles of macronutrients are well-established, the complex interplay, or "crosstalk," between essential micronutrients is a critical yet dynamic facet of exercise physiology. This review synthesizes current evidence on the synergistic relationships between key vitamins and minerals—specifically vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, the B-vitamins, antioxidants, and iron—in supporting skeletal muscle function during and after exercise. We explore how these micronutrients co-operate in energy production, calcium handling, contraction coupling, antioxidant defense, and anabolic signaling. Recent research continues to elucidate the molecular mechanisms behind this crosstalk, highlighting the role of the gut-muscle axis and the impact of deficiencies on adaptive outcomes. Understanding this intricate network is paramount for developing targeted nutritional strategies that optimize athletic performance, enhance recovery, and support long-term musculoskeletal health.

What is already known on this subject?

Traditionally, micronutrients have been studied in isolation, leading to a siloed understanding of their functions. However, in the biological milieu, these nutrients exist in a dynamic network of interactions where the status of one directly influences the absorption, function, and requirement of another—a concept known as micronutrient crosstalk.

 

What this study adds?

Beyond mechanical function, micronutrient crosstalk is vital for managing the metabolic and oxidative consequences of exercise.

Keywords

Micronutrients
Skeletal muscle
Exercise
Synergistic effect
Antioxidants

Subjects

Acknowledgements

None.

Funding

No sources of funding were sought or awarded for this study.

Data availability

Review article.

Compliance with ethical standards

Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval Not applicable.

Informed consent Not applicable.

Author contributions

Conceptualization: M.S.,; Methodology: M.S.; Software: None.; Validation: M.S.,;Formal analysis: None.; Investigation: M.S.; Resources: M.S.; Data curation: None.; Writing - original draft: M.S.,; Writing–review & editing: M.S.; Visualization: M.S.; Supervision: M.S.; Project administration: M.S.; Funding acquisition: M.S.  

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Journal of Exercise & Organ Cross Talk
Volume 5, Issue 2
Spring 2025
Pages 96-100

  • Receive Date 12 March 2025
  • Revise Date 19 May 2025
  • Accept Date 19 June 2025

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