Muscle Mass Magazine | Store | Articles | Reviews | Links | Contact

Click Here To For Your FREE Muscle Building Magazine Subscription


Vitamin C Bodybuilding Supplement Review


Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) - Frequently Asked Questions

By The Ministry of Fitness

What is Vitamin C? It assists overall body functions. It helps heal wounds and broken bones. It aids in the treatment of heart disease, blood clots, cancer, cholesterol, allergies, and arthritis and also helps form collagen in connective tissue. It contributes to hemoglobin and red-blood-cell production in bone marrow. It neutralizes potentially cancer-causing nitrites (preservatives found in hot dogs and lunch meats) and nitrates (found naturally in vegetables and drinking water). Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. It builds up the body’s immune system to make it stronger against colds and viruses.

What are the benefits of Vitamin C supplementation?

  • It aids the strengthening of bones and connective tissue.
  • It helps heal wounds and broken bones.
  • Extends life by enabling protein cells to hold together.
  • Vitamin C helps metabolize cholesterol, and assists in removing cholesterol deposits from the walls of the arteries.
  • Large doses will break down alcohol more rapidly in the body.
  • It reduces the histamine levels in the body, which trigger allergy and asthma attacks. People taking at least 200 mg daily have a 30% reduced risk of bronchitis.
  • Some studies show that taking Vitamin C in doses of 1000 mg per day reduce the secretion of cortisol, allowing muscles to grow and lift better.
  • Vitamin C will keep testosterone levels high by making the ratio of cortisol to testosterone decrease. This will help your body keep up that level of performance you demand.
  • May aid diabetics by helping to regulate insulin release. Vitamin C has been shown to prevent the sugar inside cells from converting to sorbitol (sugar alcohol). Sorbitol accumulates in cells and is connected to diabetes related eye, nerve and kidney damage.
  • Supplements are extremely beneficial for pregnant and nursing mothers.

What are good sources of Vitamin C?

  • Citrus Fruits
  • Citrus Fruit Juices
  • Strawberries
  • Green Vegetables
  • Onions
  • Tomatoes
  • Radishes
  • Rose Hips

Why should I consider supplementing Vitamin C? The human body is unable to manufacture its own Vitamin C so it should be replenished in a steady, fresh supply every day.

What are the signs of Vitamin C Deficiency?

  • Scurvy
  • Muscle weakness
  • Bruising
  • Swollen gums
  • Anemia
  • Loss of teeth
  • Frequent infections
  • Slow healing of wounds
  • Digestive difficulties

NOTE: Vitamin C it used up more rapidly under stress conditions.

Is Vitamin C supplementation affected by other supplements / medicines?

  • The following decrease the effect of Vitamin C: Aspirin, Barbiturates, Mineral Oil, Oral Contraceptives, Salicylates, Tobacco.
  • A deficiency of Vitamin A can lead to loss of vitamin C.
  • Each cigarette destroys 25mg of Vitamin C.
  • Vitamin C works best in conjunction with bioflavanoids, calcium and magnesium.

Does Vitamin C supplementation effect other supplements / medicines?

  • The following have decreased effect from Vitamin C supplementation. Anti-cholinergics, Copper, Oral Anticoagulants.
  • Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a detoxifier that reduces the toxicity of common drugs such as cortisone, aspirin, and insulin. It can also reduce the toxicity of some heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and arsenic.
  • Megadoses of vitamin C wash out B12 and folic acid, so be sure you are taking at least the daily requirement of both.
  • It is possible that Vitamin C might reverse the anticoagulant activity of the blood thinner warfarin, commonly prescribed as the drug Coumadin.
  • Aspirin robs your body of vitamin C. It can triple the excretion rate of Vitamin C from the body.
  • Cortisone can impair the utilisation of Vitamin C.
  • Aspirin & Indomethacin enhance Vitamin C excretion from the body.
  • It helps in the body's absorption of iron

How much should I supplement and when?

  • Since the body processes Vitamin C quickly, many experts recommend taking Vitamin C in doses of 500 mg twice per day. For intense training, some experts recommend all athletes training hard intake about 3 grams per day and upwards of 8 grams per day when combating a cold or cutting up.
  • It is suggested that taking a dose of 300mg-500mg immediately after training will reduce the effects of muscle soreness and stiffness usually associated with heavy training. Please note that this should not be a sustained release tablet.
  • The RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) in the UK for a normal person, not weight training, is just 60mg.
  • Decreases infections by 25% and cancers by 75% if taken in 1-10grams, daily dosage.

Where Can I get Vitamin C supplements?

  • Vitamin C supplements are available from all good health and nutrition stores as well as bodybuilding stores.
  • Besides natural sources, vitamin C is available many formats: Conventional pills and effervescent tablets Time release tablets Chewable tablets (See warning below) Syrup Powders

Are there any side effects from Vitamin C supplementation?

  • Vitamin C is not stored appreciably in the body and excess amounts are eliminated rapidly through the urine. Amounts over 10 grams per day are associated with some side effects, though none are serious.
  • Diarrhea is the only major side effect of large doses for the otherwise healthy person. Diarrhea is usually the first sign that the body's tissue fluids have been saturated with ascorbic acid. These disturbances are due to the laxative action of vitamin C. Most people will not experience this effect with under 5-10 grams of vitamin C per day.
  • Large doses of vitamin C increase chance of formation of drug crystals in urine if it combines with aminosalicylic acid (PAS for tuberculosis).
  • Consult your doctor if you have kidney stones, gout or sickle-cell anemia before supplementing with Vitamin C. If you suffer from red blood cell enzyme deficiency consult your doctor before taking large doses.
  • Chewable tablets are full of sugar and the acidity of vitamin C is hard on tooth enamel. Some doctors recommend limiting the use of chewable vitamin C tablets because they can cause enamel loss from the surface of the teeth.
  • It has been proven that large doses of vitamin C may cause interference with the clinical analysis of blood and urine. Excess intake gives false positive results for tests of diabetes and interferes with tests for hemoglobin.

DISCLAIMER THE INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS ARTICLE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS INTENDED TO SHOW WHAT CREATINE DOES AND HOW IT CAN HELP YOU. THIS FAQ IS NOT PUT FORWARD AS SCIENTIFIC FACT. IT IS BASED ON KNOWLEDGE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN MOST OF WHICH EMANATED FROM SCIENTIFIC FINDINGS. MEMBERS OF URB OR THE SITE WHERE THIS IS HOSTED ARE MERELY PROVIDING INFORMATION, EACH OF US AS INDIVIDUAL'S MUST BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR ACTIONS.


Anabolic Bodybuilding Supplements


Muscle Mass Magazine | Store | Articles | Tips | Exercises | Terms | Reviews | Links | Contact


Click Here To For Your FREE Muscle Building Magazine Subscription


Disclaimer: The information presented is intended to be used for educational purposes only. The statements made have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (U.S.). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease. Please consult with your own physician or health care practitioner regarding any suggestions and recommendations made.