Antioxydants : How much do they help YOU?

[mindgames]

Yeah - I'm a big fan of antioxidants.

I take R - ALA, COQ10, gettin some green tea too.

There's just too much good science out there to ignore their benefit.

 

[Whiskey Steve]

Anybody have experience with Selenium?

I heard that when athletes drop dead(heart attack) in play it is often due to a complete depletion of selenium...
When you are doing rediculous amounts of cardio ect you can run the risk of sweating it all out .......

just what i heard

 

[tops2heavy]

I've recently had awesome results from adding a ton of green tea to my diet and about 3grams of vitamin C a day. It was about the only thing I was missing in my supplement arsenal for some reason or another and it has helped in a huge way. I seem to always get sick during winter time, often too, and I have yet to have anything. I am also currently cutting and my weights in the gym have my skyrocketing while in the mean time the scale and bodyfat is droppping... really don't know what else to attribute it to other than adding these to my diet. Definitely had strength and weight stuck before I added these suckers. Big believer for sure.

 

[jakesnake771]

drink pom its full of antioxidents

 

[John Smeton]

Yeah - I'm a big fan of antioxidants.

I take R - ALA, COQ10, gettin some green tea too.

There's just too much good science out there to ignore their benefit.

Its been suggested to take biotin with R-ala. I dont know how true this is

 

[t3stxlr4titud]

Its been suggested to take biotin with R-ala. I dont know how true this is

very true. Truer than a heart attack. ALA depletes biotin

-TF

 

[FlawedGrunt]

Some may agree or disagree but I would really be careful as to how much Vitamin C you pump in your body, i don't see a problem with a G or 2, but there is a such thing as Vitamin C overdose... I'm almost positive I had it once and it was horrible

I got sick and normally ill slam orange juice and take some 500mg Vitamin C tabs... well this time good ol me was at walmart and saw 1000mg tabs. So i picked up a bottle... slammed two of them right away... slammed a big ass jug of orange juice and took like 2-3 more tabs that night

The next day i had really wierd sensations in my esophagaus (sp?) and would get really wierd sensations like 2-3 seconds after i swallowed food or water. It took this about a week or two to go away and it only got more painful to the point where i wasnt eating or drinking

I will try to do some more research and post something


On another aspect I take:
Vitamin C
Grape Seed Extract
Green Tea Extract
Multi
Chromium

 

[Sir Foxx]

I suggest you look up Linus Pauling as far as how much vitamin C the body can handle.

Some may agree or disagree but I would really be careful as to how much Vitamin C you pump in your body, i don't see a problem with a G or 2, but there is a such thing as Vitamin C overdose... I'm almost positive I had it once and it was horrible

I got sick and normally ill slam orange juice and take some 500mg Vitamin C tabs... well this time good ol me was at walmart and saw 1000mg tabs. So i picked up a bottle... slammed two of them right away... slammed a big ass jug of orange juice and took like 2-3 more tabs that night

The next day i had really wierd sensations in my esophagaus (sp?) and would get really wierd sensations like 2-3 seconds after i swallowed food or water. It took this about a week or two to go away and it only got more painful to the point where i wasnt eating or drinking

I will try to do some more research and post something


On another aspect I take:
Vitamin C
Grape Seed Extract
Green Tea Extract
Multi
Chromium

 

[FlawedGrunt]

I am by no means saying that Vitamin C is not good for you because obviously it is very helpful in our lifestyle and i think Vitamin C overdose is rather rare but it can happen and its not pleasant. Like any other supplement or vitamin i wouldnt go putting 40,000mg in my body. Judge what your body can handle, everyone is different obviously. Here is some info.

PS - That Linus Pauling is one ugly mofo hahaha
Invalid Link Removed

by Kelly Ann Griffin
Catching a cold? Load up on your Vitamin C. This has been a common public prescription and an accepted staple in fighting sickness for several decades, as the vitamin is readily available in grocery and drug stores as a dietary supplement. The main reason for this now widespread belief can be traced to a book titled, Vitamin C and the Common Cold, which was published by Nobel Peace Prize winner Linus Pauling in 1970. He prescribed that the intake of 1,000 mg of the vitamin daily would eliminate the occurrence of the common cold by 45% and even help to delay the onset of most cancers. Dr. Stephen Barrett, vice-president of the National Council Against Health Fraud, reported in his article, The Dark Side of Linus Pauling's Legacy, that "Pauling himself reportedly took at least 12,000 mg daily and raised the amount to 40,000 mg if symptoms of a cold appear." The Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) only advise 75 - 90 mg daily for adults, and a bit higher for adult smokers (110-125 mg). Certain Vitamin C supplements on the store shelf contain 1,000 mg of the vitamin in each dosage, and permit four doses per day. An overdose of Vitamin C does occur and is now being critically investigated by medical scientists.

So what does Vitamin C actually do?
Vitamin C, or Ascorbic Acid, benefits the body in several ways, from its ability to preserve skin elasticity, to providing better iron absorption, and efficient fighting against infection. The British Navy discovered its curing power against Scurvy, a Vitamin C deficiency, in the eighteenth century when Scottish surgeon, James Lind, proved the effectiveness of citrus foods in curing this common, yet sometimes fatal "sea disease." The main appeal to consumers today is the vitamin's antioxidant properties. Our bodies have natural levels of molecules known as free radicals, which contain an unpaired electron; however, they have the potential to cause grave damage if produced in abundance. Over generation of free radicals are linked to such chronic diseases as heart disease and the development of cancer. Antioxidants therefore are essential to maintain a healthy balance, for as they interact with free radicals, they can prohibit a damaging chain reaction of cell destruction. The body's main antioxidants are Vitamin E, Beta-Carotene, and needless to say, Vitamin C. Humans and a few other species do not have the ability to synthesize their own Vitamin C, making intake of the vitamin through foods and supplements vital.

Natural Intake Versus Supplements
Certain foods contain natural high amounts of Vitamin C. Citrus fruits are well known for their significant quantities of the vitamin, such as oranges, grapefruits, cantaloupe, kiwi, lemons, limes, mangos, papayas and strawberries. Vegetable also have the vitamin, including peppers, broccoli, cabbage, potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and spinach. Interestingly, there is a difference between natural food and vitamin supplement intake. Fruits and vegetables contain Vitamin C in its ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acid forms, whereas vitamin supplements contain only the former. The latter is the oxygenized form of ascorbic acid, and its importance lies in the fact that only dehydroascorbic acid can transport the barrier into the brain. The department of neurological surgery at Columbia University has completed a study on the necessity of dehydroascorbic acid, stating that, "Although the antioxidant ascorbic acid (AA) or vitamin C does not penetrate the bloodbrain barrier (BBB), its oxidized form, dehydroascorbic acid (DHA), enters the brain by means of facilitative transport. We hypothesized that i.v. [intravenous] DHA would improve outcome after stroke because of its ability to cross the BBB and augment brain antioxidant levels." Consequently, natural food may be a better route for the intake of this vitamin.

Signs of Overdose
The positive aspect of Vitamin C overdose is that it can be controlled by simply limiting one's intake. Vitamin C is nontoxic and not stored by the body; overdose tends to be rare. Increased levels above the RDAs recommendation can be legitimate in medical cases such as trauma, fever, or infection. However, continued excessive use of the vitamin can cause some negative, harmful symptoms of overdose. Overdose amounts often vary upon individual, as factors such as age, genes, and the ratio of other reactive elements in the body can affect the results. Diarrhea is the most common symptom of Vitamin C overdose, minimally requiring an intake between 500-2500 mg daily. Also, symptoms such as gas, stomach cramps, nausea, increased urination, insomnia, and back/joint pain can occur. Other negative side effects are possible, as the previous list contains the more common outcomes. Another notable damaging effect of Vitamin C overdose is its cause for the deficiency of copper, an essential element in our bodies. Present throughout the body and in the blood, copper helps in a variety of manners, from production

of connective tissues, to the aid in blood clotting and wound healing, to helping in production of red blood cells and bones. As to the long-term negative health effects of Vitamin C overdose, scientists remain inconclusive.

Can Vitamin C help your body? Of course, it is an essential vitamin for the body's overall health and performance. Many athletes take daily supplements to increase the optimization of the immune system and decrease time needed between exercising sessions. Vitamin C will still help in preventing sickness as it does boost our immune system, yet the widely accepted belief of super dosage should be cautioned by consumers, as it is currently with researchers. Overdose is possible and one should keep their intake within the RDA's boundaries. Pregnant women and children under 18 also require less of the vitamin. Catching a cold? Think twice about excessive intake of Vitamin C the next time the throat begins to pain and the nose clogs up. Vitamin C is beneficial, but within reason.

Works Cited

J. Huang, et al. "Dehydroascorbic Acid, a BloodBrain Barrier Transportable Form of Vitamin C, Mediates Potent Cerebroprotection in Experimental Stroke," Invalid Link Removed

Nutritional Supplements Guide, "Vitamin C Overdose," Invalid Link Removed -c-overdose.html

Stephen Barrett, "The Dark Side of Linus Pauling's Legacy," Invalid Link Removed uling.html

 

[RobInKuwait]

I am by no means saying that Vitamin C is not good for you because obviously it is very helpful in our lifestyle and i think Vitamin C overdose is rather rare but it can happen and its not pleasant. Like any other supplement or vitamin i wouldnt go putting 40,000mg in my body. Judge what your body can handle, everyone is different obviously. Here is some info.

PS - That Linus Pauling is one ugly mofo hahaha
Invalid Link Removed

Overdose seems like a pretty harsh term for what is basically when the bad effects start to outweigh the good effects. Typically when someone uses the term overdose, they're referring to a potentially fatal incident. From what you included here and what I've read, nobody is dying from vitamin C mega dosing.

If you do find yourself "overdosing" on vitamin C, all you have to do is stop taking it and drink a lot of water.

 

[Omen]

Some may agree or disagree but I would really be careful as to how much Vitamin C you pump in your body, i don't see a problem with a G or 2, but there is a such thing as Vitamin C overdose... I'm almost positive I had it once and it was horrible

I got sick and normally ill slam orange juice and take some 500mg Vitamin C tabs... well this time good ol me was at walmart and saw 1000mg tabs. So i picked up a bottle... slammed two of them right away... slammed a big ass jug of orange juice and took like 2-3 more tabs that night

The next day i had really wierd sensations in my esophagaus (sp?) and would get really wierd sensations like 2-3 seconds after i swallowed food or water. It took this about a week or two to go away and it only got more painful to the point where i wasnt eating or drinking

I will try to do some more research and post something


On another aspect I take:
Vitamin C
Grape Seed Extract
Green Tea Extract
Multi
Chromium

My max in one day was around 100g when I was really sick, the only side effect you get is diareha which isn't too bad considering you're already sick and miserable VS the benefits you get from it.

 

[FlawedGrunt]

HOLY **** SON! I think im gonna keep it at around 2g's a day

actually i do love vitamin C tho, ever since i discovered slammed OJ and taking some C pills helps sickness ive been getting over colds like nothing

 

[FlawedGrunt]

so on to another question....

When do you guys feel its most important to take your vitamins?

I read somewhere recently that Vitamin C can also be a staple to Post Workout Nutrition... let me see if i can find the link

Research has shown that taking vitamin C post-workout reduces post-workout soreness and cortisol levels. Cortisol is a catabolic (muscle-destroying) hormone that is released during and after intense exercise. So reducing it as soon as possible after a workout is imperative.

Taken from Invalid Link Removed

^^^^
Some good PWO info on there for newbs (myself included, considering i havent done much PWO in the past)

 

[RobInKuwait]

so on to another question....

When do you guys feel its most important to take your vitamins?

I read somewhere recently that Vitamin C can also be a staple to Post Workout Nutrition... let me see if i can find the link



Taken from Invalid Link Removed

^^^^
Some good PWO info on there for newbs (myself included, considering i havent done much PWO in the past)

I'd think spreading out smaller doses throughout the day is optimal since Vitamin C's half-life is only half an hour.

 

[shoegazer]

I take 1oz of wheatgrass a day, and will continue to do so till the day I die! It's amazing stuff...the taste I can leave though. :donut:

 

[Knowbull]

I have found what matters is consistancy of intake, and of course off days, you can get too much of a good thing especially fat soluble. I always take off periods for everything even if its a day or two.

 

[Trauma1]

so on to another question....

When do you guys feel its most important to take your vitamins?

I read somewhere recently that Vitamin C can also be a staple to Post Workout Nutrition... let me see if i can find the link



Taken from Invalid Link Removed

^^^^
Some good PWO info on there for newbs (myself included, considering i havent done much PWO in the past)

Antioxidants are definitely very vital to many overall body processes ranging from cellular maintenance/growth, immune system upregulation, and disease prevention.

The majority of studies that i have read indicate that a certain degree of free radical damage is beneficial.....espcecially in the muscle hypertrophy aspect.

The free radical induced cascade that commences from weight training aspects contribues to the anabolic process. However, if this free radical cascade is left to snowball for a prolonged period of time, those benefits can easily turn into detrimental effects that can harm your overall progress.

The key is to allow just enough time for this free radical cascade to commence and produce damage effect benefits, but halt it in its tracks before the beneficial aspect is lost. I would recommend taking them in the early evening, or just before bed on training days.

I did a write-up for our NOxidant product in our section that breaks down the process a bit better. It's actually a very interesting subject, and i continue to follow up on research in this regard.