Does timing matter for antioxidants

Pharmacy
1

Redox Biology and Exercise Signaling
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​High-dose antioxidant supplementation (like massive doses of Vitamin C and E) taken immediately around workout windows can blunt training gains. Exercise naturally generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) in skeletal muscle mitochondria. While chronic oxidative stress is damaging, transient pulses of ROS serve as vital signaling molecules that activate PGC-1alpha and AMPK pathways, driving mitochondrial biogenesis and insulin sensitivity. Neutralizing this natural stress signal before the cascade completes dampens the body’s adaptive growth response.
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Cellular stress during exercise is the exact biological signal your body needs to adapt and become stronger.
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Do you time your antioxidant supplements away from your training sessions, or do you prioritize dietary sources over high-dose pills?

MBH/PS

2

Interesting insight! Exercise-induced oxidative stress can play an important role in signaling adaptation. It’s a good reminder that more antioxidants aren’t always better—dietary sources and individualized supplementation may be more appropriate than routine high-dose doses.