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Innovation in Sports Nutrition:
Ingredients/ Vitamin C |
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Custom Sports Drinks
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The Importance of Vitamin CThe two most important functions of vitamin C are the formation of 'collagen', which is needed for the production of connective tissue (connecting muscle tissue to joints) as well as for protection against free radicals (harmful substances in the body).Vitamins speed up the healing of wounds and even of burns due to the fact that, as we have seen, it helps forming connective tissue. Organs and tissue, such as bones, teeth and skin, are very dependent upon the formation of 'collagen'. Vitamin C collaborates with other vitamins. It is needed, for instance, to activate certain vitamins of the B complex. In addition, it regenerates the functioning of vitamin E, even after E has neutralized 'free radicals' in the body. Intensive training is like a double-edged sword: on the one hand you have to exercise to stay fit, on the other hand exercising increases oxygen-assimilation, which in its turn stimulates the production of 'free radicals' in the body. Research has shown that the intake of food supplements, such as vitamins C and E taken together, substantially reduces the production of free radicals. Research has shown that an intake of 500 milligrams of vitamin C two hours before exercising helps to prevent muscular pain. Multiple studies have found blood and plasma levels of vitamin C to be diminished in those who exercise. Several studies have concluded that exercise-induced oxidative stress was highest when subjects did not supplement with vitamin C compared to either 1 day or 2 weeks of vitamin C supplementation. |