When it comes to losing weight, nutritionists say eating a diet rich in vitamins does the body a lot of good.
Yet, if you plan to exercise, doing so may not be a good idea, according to recent research from Norway.
Studying a total of 54 adults, researchers found that those who took vitamin C and E supplements prevented the increase of mitochondrial proteins–something which commonly increases during endurance training.
Now experts say you should consider cutting your vitamin intake if you plan to pursue a serious exercise regimen.
“Vitamin C and E supplements blunted the endurance training-induced increase of mitochondrial proteins, which are needed to improve muscular endurance,” says Dr. Goran Paulsen from the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, who helped research the study. “Our results indicate that high dosages of vitamin C and E–as commonly found in supplements–should be used with caution, especially if you are undertaking endurance training.”
Details of the Study
For most dieters, it seems like a healthy choice–doubling up on vitamin supplements as a way to stay healthy.
But now research shows that doing so isn’t such a good idea.
Studying 54 participants, Norwegian researchers assigned them to one of two regimens–a supplement regimen containing vitamins E and C or a placebo. They were also instructed to follow a endurance training program three to four times a week, which they adhered to for a total of 11 weeks.
After the 11 weeks had elapsed, researchers then had them undergo a muscle biopsy to see how each training regimen affected their muscles.
And it wasn’t good.
“Our results indicate that high dosages of vitamin C and E – as commonly found in supplements – should be used with caution, especially if you are undertaking endurance training,” says Paulsen. “Future studies are needed to determine the underlying mechanisms of these results, but we assume that the vitamins interfered with cellular signalling [sic] and blunted expression of certain genes.”
For those who took a placebo, the rate of mitochondrial proteins, which help improve muscular endurance, increased at a steady and predictable rate. But for those who took a daily supplement regimen containing vitamin C and E, these increases did not occur as expected–and in turn, scientists believe it hurts their exercise performance.
“Results of the study revealed that markers for the production of new muscle mitochondria–structures that supply power to the cells–only increased in the participants who received the placebo pill,” says Honor Whiteman, a health contributor to Medical News Today. “The investigators hypothesize that since vitamins C and E are antioxidants, high doses may take away some of the oxidative stress and block the development of muscular endurance.”
Lesson here? If you plan on exercising, skip the vitamin supplements–you’re better off getting your vitamin fix by eating a vegetable-rich diet instead.
Readers: Do you take vitamin supplements? Why or why not?
Sources:
Study: Vitamin Supplements Hurt Exercise Performance – MedicalNewsToday.com
Press Release: Vitamin Supplements Not Good for Exercise Endurance – EurekAlert.org
Vitamin C and E Supplements May Hinder Endurance Training – CBSNews.com
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