antioxidant supplement
There is a big debate about whether antioxidant vitamin supplements, specifically vitamins E, C and beta-carotene are useful to those involved in vigorous exercise. One group claims that antioxidant supplement is a suppressor of radical activity brought about by this kind of activity. Intake of these supplements tends to squelch excessive free radicals. This has been the common belief for over 30 years and has been attributed to a lot of other health benefits including anti-aging and heart disease. In these cases antioxidants are believed to slow down the oxidation process.
Another group maintains that these supplements do not help at all. Antioxidants from a regular diet consisting of fruit, vegetables, whole grains and nuts are enough to fight these radicals. Taking excessive amounts through supplements can, in fact, impair the training response in exercise rather than enhance it. Studies have shown that those who had taken anti-oxidants saw no health benefits from exercise. The promotion of muscle antioxidant defenses which is normally promoted by exercise was in fact prevented by the supplements.