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Antioxidant Supplements improve Cycling Performance |
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Written by SuperHuman
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Thursday, 01 May 2008 |
Antioxidants, such as vitamin C and E, neutralize free radicals produced naturally during metabolism.
Free radicals are highly reactive chemicals that can damage cell membranes, cells lining the blood vessels, muscle proteins, DNA and impair cellular metabolism. Researchers from Pepperdine University in California found that giving antioxidant supplements to elite male cyclists for six weeks improved exercise performance, but didn’t affect the rate of fat or carbohydrate use. The antioxidant supplement consisted of quercetin, vitamin C and catechins, but also included B vitamins and caffeine. This supplement may have worked by improving muscle energetics, reducing muscle inflammation, protecting skeletal muscle protein or promoting motor unit recruitment. (International Journal Sports Nutrition Exercise Metabolism, 16:405-419, 2006
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