title: Effect of vitamin C supplements on physical performance.
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(-1) 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(-1) 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.
authors: US Olympic Committee, Sport Performance, Olympic Training Center, Chula Vista, CA 91915, USA. andrea.braakhuis@usoc.org
authors: Andrea J
authors: AJ
authors: Braakhuis
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D001205:Ascorbic Acid