Effect of vitamin C supplements on physical performance.

Braakhuis AJ.

Source

U.S. Olympic Committee, Sport Performance, Olympic Training Center, Chula Vista, CA.

Abstract

Vitamin C is an essential component of the diet and may reduce the adverse effects of exercise-induced reactive oxygen species, including muscle damage, immune dysfunction, and fatigue. However, reactive oxygen species may mediate beneficial training adaptations that vitamin C attenuates; indeed, from a total of 12 studies, vitamin C in doses >1 g·d impaired sport performance substantially in four of four studies, possibly by reducing mitochondrial biogenesis, while a further four studies demonstrated impairments that were not statistically significant. Doses of ∼0.2 g·d of vitamin C consumed through five or more servings of fruit and vegetables may be sufficient to reduce oxidative stress and provide other health benefits without impairing training adaptations.

PMID:

22777327

[PubMed - in process] 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22777327