Vitamin C and Sport Performance

Vitamin C has been used for a long time by athletes in order to improve the performance and reduce the fatigue.

The importance of Vitamin C for athletes

One of the main functions is the hydroxylation of the amino acids proline and lysine in order to produce collagen. This is why it is crucial for the growth and maintenance of the bones, teeth, gums, joints, ligaments, tendons and blood vessels, as well as to heal injuries, wounds and burns.

This is an essential function to prevent injuries (which are so frequent among athletes) from getting worse and to stimulate their healing process naturally. Moreover, it is also an important agent to lower cortisol. If we have high levels of this hormone, it can hinder the recovery or lead to overtraining in the worst cases.

Another one of its important roles for those who practice sports or do physical exercise regularly, is the fact that it is involved in the state of iron. This is due to the fact that the ascorbic acid improves the absorption of this mineral, which is crucial for a proper oxygenation of the tissues.

Benefits of Vitamin C for Athletes

Neutralize the Free Radicals

When we do aerobic exercise, there is a strong charge of oxygen that can alter the redox balance. This will result in the formation of free radicals.

Carnitine Synthesis

Vitamin C is necessary for the synthesis of carnitine, which is in charge of transporting fatty acids to the mitochondria. These are the best fuel for muscle fibers when we carry out long exercises.

Iron Absorption

Vitamin C has been used to counter the risk of anemia, which is quite frequent in fatigue and overtraining syndromes, especially in women. As we said previously, this is due to the fact that it improves the absorption of iron.

Muscle Contraction

It can play an important role in the development of strength in the contraction process.

Respiratory-Intestinal System

It has an immuno-stimulating effect to prevent respiratory or gastrointestinal tract infections, which are quite frequent after an intense effort or if we suffer overtraining.

Recovery

It can also be used for the recovery of injuries, since it is present in the wound healing process and in the regeneration of connective tissue.

Vitamin C and Anaerobic Exercise

Intense and long exercises can cause an imbalance between the production mechanisms and defense mechanisms, a process known as oxidative stress. The elements that make up the muscle fiber can be damaged when there are reactive oxygen substances that overcome our ability to neutralize them.

However, despite the possible negative effects, an increase in the production of the free radicals is also an important stimuli to achieve an adaptation to the effort. This is due to the fact that it improves the ability to defend ourselves against the negative effects of exercise.

Vitamin C and preventing any excess of Free Radicals

Vitamin C and Strength Exercise

Weightlifters have lower concentrations of vitamin C when compared to a group of non-athletes. Some reactive oxygen substances are to blame for the muscle damage after exercises with eccentric contractions. That is why taking substances that reduce the amount of free radicals could improve the loss of strength after a high intensity exercise.

For some, the use of antioxidants could be an important factor in order to avoid the damaged caused by the free radicals during strength activities. Using vitamin C supplementation could be a good strategy to reduce the muscle soreness after an intense physical exercise.

Vitamin C protects athlete against muscle damage and eccentric work

Vitamin C Protects against Colds

Supplementation Strategy

Taking vitamin C to protect ourselves against catching a cold is a good strategy. Even insignificant pathologies like a cold can interfere with our training or the performance of athletes during competitions.

The Diet does not provide enough Vitamin C

Our regular diet may not provide enough vitamin C to the body. Some athletes will need to take an additional supply of this vitamin in order to prevent catching a cold.

Vitamin C for Athletes

The effects of Vitamin C supplementation become more relevant when they are used by specific groups like athletes who compete and who participate in endurance trials. As well as those who are exposed to cold climates in sports like skiing or expeditions, apart from those who undergo a lot of physical stress.

You can purchase the best vitamin C supplements for athletes at the HSN online store.

Vitamin C to prevent active people from catching colds

Conclusions

Related Entries

• Vitamin C: Effects of its Deficiency in the Organism – What are the symptoms?
• Vitamin C – What is it, Properties and Benefits
• Foods Rich in Vitamin C