CS: Vitamin C Reduces Endurance, Mitochondria and Superoxide Dismutase/Glutathione??

Since I have CFS/ME I thought I should start taking liposomal vitamin C, so I brewed up a batch tonight (homemade) ready to take tomorrow, as I know it's great for battling infections, which might be present.

However, then I stumble upon this:
http://fanaticcook.blogspot.no/2009/02/vitamin-c-supplementation-and-exercise.html

It seems vitamin C leads to both reduced endurance, reduced mitochondria and reduced Superoxide Dismutase and Glutathione in the body!!

Does this mean vitamin C is now not so recommend after all? I know some people implicate mitochondrial dysfunction in CFS/ME, so the last thing I want to do is lessen them, and also a shortage of Glutathione is implicated, so lowering that does not sound very tempting either...

Reduced endurance is no problem yet, but when I get well again I want to start working out so that is not tempting either.

Would you recommend one only takes vitamin C to fight infections and then not take it because of the negative effects it has?

Thanks for your answer as always, it's TRUELY appreciated!

virtua_ - I take a form of C called Metabolic C, which does last in the body longer than other forms of C, except for perhaps lypo-spheric C. I do take this only at night, or at least away from food and exercise. As long as you do that, you're fine.

So you're saying the effects showed in the study does not turn up as long as vitamin C is taken away from food and exercise?

It seemed to me that the study said the effects showed up no matter what, but then again I guess they did not talk about when the supplements were taken...

So we're not to worry about this study?

Only during exercise and preferably away from food (unless you want to absorb more iron from your food).

During exercise, the body produces more endogenous antioxidant enzymes, at least if done moderately. This positive effect is negated if vitamin C is taken during this period. That's really it. This also applies to vitamin E as well.

For this reason, I take vitamin C many hours away from exercise.

Note that for men, vitamin C will extend life an estimated 5 to 6 years--just take it away from exercise.

For this reason, I take vitamin C many hours away from exercise.

after exercise, i used to drink a glass of fresh orange juice. So i guess the above recommendation regards orange juice also....?

Would taking vit c with bcaa's be ok?

Steve_Gr wrote:

For this reason, I take vitamin C many hours away from exercise.

after exercise, i used to drink a glass of fresh orange juice. So i guess the above recommendation regards orange juice also....?

First, I have to say that the study referenced on that site linked above is from 2008, and it had some limitations.

A follow-up study in 2011 gets into more detail. Making a long story short, the question of vitamin C, and E for that matter have to do with gram dosages with intense exercise. Note, extreme, not moderate or light exercise.

Bottom line is, at a gram dosage, the effects will be minimal for relatively healthy people at light to even intense exercise. However, take individuals who are not healthy and place on them on an intense routine, would avoid a gram of C anywhere near that period.

So, the orange juice shouldn't matter.

thank you CS...

But let's say you exercise then wait 4-5 hours (or 8 hours for that matter) and then take vitamin C.

Are we sure the body has been given sufficient time to "respond" to the exercise to create more mitochondria and produce more superoxide dismutase and glutathione (or maybe not DO the work but give the correct signals)? Or might the antioxidant effect of vitamin C then still have a detrimental effect?

CS, I take 2 grams Vit C time released after exercise. Is that ok in your opinion?

sizzlinghairs wrote:CS, I take 2 grams Vit C time released after exercise. Is that ok in your opinion?

It's best to take it a few hours before or after, because it can neutralize ROS from exercise, which upregulates antioxidant enzymes.

2 hours after should be good? Or would you reccomend 3?

sizzlinghairs wrote:2 hours after should be good? Or would you recommend 3?

After 2 hours it won't make too much difference, so no worries

from vitamincfoudnation.org:
As far as your friend, you might share the knowledge that almost all species on the planet make their own vitamin C, and do not require it in the diet. Exceptions are high-level primates, including man, the guinea pig, fruit bat and a couple of parrots. The mammals make it in their livers (sometimes kidneys) in amounts ranging (adjusted for body weight) from 3000 to 13,000 mg daily.) A goat understress will make more than 100,000 mg daily.\ This amount goes directly into the blood stream. At least half of what we eat breaks down before reaching the blood stream.

CS, how much vitamin C is optimal per day in your opinion ?

rayl wrote:from vitamincfoudnation.org:
As far as your friend, you might share the knowledge that almost all species on the planet make their own vitamin C, and do not require it in the diet. Exceptions are high-level primates, including man, the guinea pig, fruit bat and a couple of parrots. The mammals make it in their livers (sometimes kidneys) in amounts ranging (adjusted for body weight) from 3000 to 13,000 mg daily.) A goat understress will make more than 100,000 mg daily.\ This amount goes directly into the blood stream. At least half of what we eat breaks down before reaching the blood stream.

CS, how much vitamin C is optimal per day in your opinion ?

Good info you posted above. If a person is acutely ill, they can benefit from very large amounts of vitamin C. For example, if one gets very sick, 2 grams every 6-minutes is recommended until they get over their state of malaise.

However, for general guidelines it is estimated that about 2 grams per day (may vary on body-weight) will extend the lifespan of a man by 6 years.