A common point of contention within this space - namely, the potential antioxidant effects inhibiting redox signaling.
In short - both timing & dose matter and can blunt muscle tissue remodeling, however the effects are often exaggerated. Consider it like this - oxidative stress in the context of exercise is not necessarily negative. Instead, it's an acute/transient hormetic response. So vitamin C's antioxidant potential is going to inhibit that oxidative signaling that's required for muscle repair.
From the RCTs we have in this area, typically 500 - 1,000 mg taken in the peri-workout zone can mitigate the oxidative stress signaling/acute inflammatory response from lifting. Impacts are mostly seen in younger, trained athletes. Whereas in relatively older individuals, it's not as pronounced of an effect.
Some additional nuance:
- the effects are not nearly as significant when the intake is thru a nutritional lever as opposed to a synthetic bolus.
- these blunted muscular hypertrophic responses are typically seen with those chronically dosing at high levels 1g+
- if concerned about the impacts, here's the order of administration I'd prioritize: dose well outside the peri-workout window > before workout >> post workout
Great article. Did you come across anything regarding timing of vitamin C and exercise?
A common point of contention within this space - namely, the potential antioxidant effects inhibiting redox signaling.
In short - both timing & dose matter and can blunt muscle tissue remodeling, however the effects are often exaggerated. Consider it like this - oxidative stress in the context of exercise is not necessarily negative. Instead, it's an acute/transient hormetic response. So vitamin C's antioxidant potential is going to inhibit that oxidative signaling that's required for muscle repair.
From the RCTs we have in this area, typically 500 - 1,000 mg taken in the peri-workout zone can mitigate the oxidative stress signaling/acute inflammatory response from lifting. Impacts are mostly seen in younger, trained athletes. Whereas in relatively older individuals, it's not as pronounced of an effect.
Some additional nuance:
- the effects are not nearly as significant when the intake is thru a nutritional lever as opposed to a synthetic bolus.
- these blunted muscular hypertrophic responses are typically seen with those chronically dosing at high levels 1g+
- if concerned about the impacts, here's the order of administration I'd prioritize: dose well outside the peri-workout window > before workout >> post workout