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Exercise-induced oxidative stress before and after vitamin C supplementation
H M Alessio1, A H Goldfarb, G Cao
1PHS Department, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA.
International Journal of Sport Nutrition
|March 1, 1997
Summary
Vitamin C supplementation reduced exercise-induced oxidative stress. Supplementing with vitamin C (ascorbic acid) for 1 day or 2 weeks significantly lowered oxidative stress markers compared to placebo after exercise.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Oxidative Stress Research
Background:
- Submaximal exercise can induce oxidative stress.
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a potent antioxidant.
- The impact of varying vitamin C supplementation durations on exercise-induced oxidative stress requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of short-term (1 day) and medium-term (2 weeks) vitamin C supplementation on exercise-induced oxidative stress.
- To compare the oxidative stress response following submaximal exercise in individuals supplemented with vitamin C versus a placebo.
Main Methods:
- Participants underwent 30 minutes of submaximal exercise.
- Plasma levels of thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) were measured before and after exercise.
- Vitamin C was supplemented at 1 g/day for either 1 day or 2 weeks.
Main Results:
- Exercise significantly increased TBARS and the TBARS:ORAC ratio (oxidative stress marker) in the placebo group.
- Vitamin C supplementation for 1 day and 2 weeks attenuated the exercise-induced increase in TBARS and the TBARS:ORAC ratio.
- No significant changes in resting TBARS or ORAC were observed with vitamin C supplementation, and ORAC did not significantly change post-exercise in any group.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin C supplementation, even for a short duration, can mitigate exercise-induced oxidative stress.
- The findings suggest that adequate vitamin C intake may be beneficial for athletes and individuals engaging in regular physical activity to manage oxidative stress.