Vitamin C- when to take?

[Greg Davis]

I can't seem to come across any good info on the ideal time to take a vitamin C supplement..

If I'm looking to use it to help buffer cortisol/stress.. any thoughts on whether or not it would be absorbed properly if taken with a higher carb (PWO) meal?

i.e. current supps:

higher carb- ALA, vit C?
lunch/dinner- vit d, b complex
empty stomach- zinc/mag

[Mike Kesthely]

Originally Posted by Greg Davis

I can't seem to come across any good info on the ideal time to take a vitamin C supplement..

If I'm looking to use it to help buffer cortisol/stress.. any thoughts on whether or not it would be absorbed properly if taken with a higher carb (PWO) meal?

Effects of Ascorbic Acid on Serum Cortisol and the Testosterone: Cortisol Ratio in Junior Elite Weightlifters.
Original Article
Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. 12(3):179-184, August 1998.
Marsit, Joseph L. 1; Conley, Michael S. 1; Stone, Michael H. 1; Fleck, Steven J. 2; Kearney, Jay T. 2; Schirmer, Ginger P. 3; Keith, Robert L. 3; Kraemer, William J. 4; Johnson, Robert L. 1
Abstract:
This study examined the short-term effects of the daily ingestion of ascorbic acid (1,000 mg/d) on resting and postexercise concentrations of serum Cortisol (Cort), testosterone (T), and the testosterone:Cortisol ratio (T:C) in 17 junior elite weightlifters. Subjects were assigned to one of two groups equated for body mass and weightlifting total. GAA received ascorbic acid each day. GP received a placebo similar in appearance to the ascorbic acid supplement. Subjects participated in a competitive, high volume, high intensity training program. Blood (fasting) was drawn 5 times: baseline, Day 16 preexercise, immediate post, 1-hr post, and 24 hrs post. Exercise consisted of typical large-muscle-mass exercises familiar to all subjects and was standardized based on relative intensity (% 1-RM). ANCOVA, using preexercise ascorbic acid concentrations as the covariant, showed a significant difference (p = 0.02) for Cortisol at 24 hrs post. Testosterone or the T:C ratio did not differ between groups at any point.
(C) 1998 National Strength and Conditioning Association

[Greg Davis]

Effect of vitamin C supplementation on lipid peroxidation, muscle damage and inflammation after 30-min exercise at 75% VO2max.

1: J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2008 Jun;48(2):217-24.Links

AIM: Hypothetically, supplementation with the antioxidant vitamins C could alleviate exercise-induced lipid peroxidation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of vitamin C supplementation on exercise-induced lipid peroxidation, muscle damage and inflammation. METHODS: Sixteen healthy untrained male volunteers participated in a 30-min exercise at 75% Vo2max. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups: 1) placebo and 2) vitamin C (VC: 1 000 mg vitamin C). Blood samples were obtained prior to supplementation (baseline), 2 h after supplementation (immediately pre-exercise), post-exercise, 2 and 24 h after exercise. Plasma levels of VC, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), creatine kinase (CK), malondealdehyde (MDA), total leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and cortisol were measured. RESULTS: Plasma vitamin C concentrations increased significantly in the VC in response to supplementation and exercise (P<0.05). TAC decreased significantly in Placebo group 24 h after exercise compared to pre-exercise (P<0.05). Although MDA levels were similar between groups at baseline, it increased significantly 2 h after exercise only in the Placebo group (P<0.05). CK increased immediately and 2 h after exercise in both groups and 24 h after exercise only in placebo group compared to pre-exercise (P<0.05). Markers of inflammation (total leukocyte counts, neutrophil counts and IL-6) were increased significantly in response to the exercise (P<0.05). In VC group, there was significant increase in lymphocyte counts immediately after exercise compared with pre-exercise (P<0.05). Serum cortisol concentrations significantly declined after supplementation compared with baseline (P<0.05) as well as declined 2 and 24 h after exercise compared with immediately after exercise in VC group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: VC supplementation prevented endurance exercise-induced lipid peroxidation and muscle damage but had no effect on inflammatory markers.

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The effects of acute vitamin C supplementation on cortisol, interleukin-6, and neutrophil responses to prolonged cycling exercise


Published in: European Journal of Sport Science, Volume 7, Issue 1 March 2007 , pages 15 - 25
Subject: Sport & Exercise Science;

Abstract
The depression of immune cell function that is typically observed after prolonged exercise is thought to be largely mediated by increased concentrations of stress hormones and cytokines as well as, possibly, oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to measure immunoendocrine responses, with acute vitamin C or placebo ingestion, before and during prolonged exercise. In a single-blind, randomized, counterbalanced/crossover design, eight healthy males ingested a bolus of 500 mg and 1000 mg vitamin C 2 h and 14 h pre-exercise respectively, then cycled for 2 h at approximately 60% maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). They also consumed either placebo or vitamin C (1500 mg · l-1) beverages (2.5 ml · kg-1 body mass) every 15 min during exercise. Compared with the placebo trial, resting and post-exercise plasma vitamin C concentration and antioxidant capacity were higher and post-exercise oxidative stress markers were lower in the vitamin C trial. There was no difference between trials in the magnitude of post-exercise increases in circulating neutrophil numbers, plasma cortisol and interleukin (IL)-6 concentrations. There was a significant (2-way ANOVA) main effect of trial (P=0.039) and trialtime interaction (P=0.008) for PMA (phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate)-stimulated chemiluminescence per neutrophil, with the post-exercise values significantly higher in the vitamin C trial (P<0.05). The results suggest that acute vitamin C supplementation may improve post-exercise neutrophil oxidative burst capacity. Given that there was no effect on cortisol, IL-6, and the circulating neutrophil count, a likely explanation is that acute vitamin C ingestion reduced (auto)oxidative “damage” to neutrophils, which could result in less impairment of their functional capacity after exercise.

[Mike Kesthely]

Nice finds, Greg.

One caveat to anti-oxidant supplementation is the reduction of exercise-induce oxidative stress, and the subsequent adaptation to said stress. This is why I time any supplementation outside the training window, both pre and post.

[Greg Davis]

Good point Mike.

I'm unable to find any solid recommendations on vit c timing but I'm going to assume that it would be most beneficial anytime late in the afternoon or early evening.. (unless working out at night).. and since it's water soluble I suppose it doesnt matter too much if it is with food (or what type) or not

[Mike ODonnell]

Would take it empty stomach divided doses in first thing AM, right before Bed and 30-60 pre workout.....I also go into workouts in a fasted state (no meals 2-3 hours prior).