Dr. Rath Research Institute

Daily supplements of vitamin C may decrease heart rate during exercise and reduce the perception of fatigue and exertion, suggests new data.

{Comments: This human clinical study is just another reiteration of the well-known benefits of vitamin C. Humans are one of the very few mammals that cannot produce this vital and highly potent antioxidant vitamin and it therefore must be supplied through diet and supplementation. The conclusions of this study are obvious however, it is important to highlight this study especially because in 2009 the exact opposite results were published negating the benefits of vitamin C during exercise.

This study specifically noted that vitamin C reduces fatigue and the feeling of exertion by decreasing heart rate. Vitamin C reduces the exercise induced oxidative damage in cells, reduces muscle soreness and improves rapid healing of muscle injury and other wounds. Vitamin C is also known to decrease the markers of inflammation that increase during exercise, making cells prone to inflammatory damage. Therefore, vitamin C is a very important supplement for people who are under high physical or mental stress to maintain their antioxidant status.

The human proof of the exercise benefits of vitamin C comes about the same time as another study noting that, “Statins are shown to cause fatigue.” Archives of Internal Medicine published the results of a double blind placebo controlled clinical trial, conducted in more than 1000 patients who were either taking statins or a placebo. The results, not surprisingly, show that those taking statins reported significantly more worsening of energy and fatigue after exercise.

It is a well-known fact that statins deplete the body of coenzyme Q-10. Coenzyme Q-10 is crucial for proper muscle function and is an essential cofactor for mitochondrial energy production, and is critical for the proper function of the heart, liver, and all muscles in the body. The pumping action of the heart requires a tremendous amount of energy. Vitamin C, coenzyme Q-10, carnitine and other nutrients are essential for the energy production required to sustain high physical demands during exercise. Optimum nutrient supplementation is also shown to improve physical endurance during exercise.

Dr. Rath’s innovative approach of nutrient synergy utilizes the principle that a combination of essential nutrients in specific proportions eliminates the need of high doses of any particular nutrient. For example, vitamin C, vitamin E, and glutathione with coenzyme Q-10, and B vitamins form a very potent antioxidant network within the body and recycles these nutrients as required. Please read more about Dr. Rath’s original research on the scurvy-heart disease connection and the importance of supplementing vitamins with other synergistic nutrients at: www.drrathresearch.org}

Source:http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/Vitamin-C-shows-exercise-benefits-Human-data