Vitamin D and Omega-3…Translating Tricky Topics into Action for Athletes

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This webinar was presented live on April 14, 2020.

Sports Dietitians are faced with the challenge of providing evidence-based care for athletes related to topics for which the evidence is far from straightforward and conclusive. In this webinar, presenters will discuss two examples of these tricky topics: vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids. Following a brief summary of current evidence related to the role of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids in athletes' performance and health, controversies and trends in the prevention, evaluation, and treatment of deficiencies of these nutrients will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on translation of the evidence into recommendations, protocols, and policies for athletes.

Learning Objectives

1. Summarize the evidence that associates vitamin D and omega-3 fats with performance and health of athletes.
2. Navigate uncertainties related to vitamin D and omega-3 fats to establish practical recommendations for athletes.
3. Consider factors such as risks, benefits, costs, and ethics in developing protocols related to vitamin D and omega-3 fats for athletes.

Speaker

Michelle Rockwell PhD, RD, CSSD

Michelle is a Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics with 20 years of experience in nutrition and dietetics. She has been a member of the faculty in the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise at Virginia Tech since 2015. In addition to teaching a variety of nutrition courses, Michelle conducts research studies involving vitamin D, omega-3 fats, and health systems science. She previously owned a private practice in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina where she consulted with athletes, teams, programs, and industry clients throughout the U.S. Michelle earned BS, MS, and PhD degrees from Virginia Tech where she was a Track & Field athlete. She completed her dietetics internship training at NIH in Bethesda, Maryland.