Antioxidants and exercise

Not long ago I published a link to a NY times Health Blogpost that explained why high doses of supplemental antioxidants could interfere with the training response of exercisers. Basically a study published in The Journal of Physiology found that high doses of vitamins C and E had a smaller training response because of a lowering of certain  enzymes responsible for stimulating an increase in mitochondria (the powerhouse organelles found in cells). With fewer mitochondria, aerobic fitness is decreased. This same held true for another study published in the same journal, but this time the focus was on weight training. While both the supplemented and the un-supplemented groups gained muscles, the group on antioxidants were less strong and had punier muscles. It seems that the free radicals that anti-oxidants are mopping up, are essential  for an exercise response. On the flip side, a recent analysis out of Finland points to the benefits of vitamin C for those with exercise-induced broncho-constriction (like exercise induced asthma). The bottom line is that if you have exercise-induced broncho-constriction and vitamin C allows you to breath better, then go for it. However, if you don't have this issue, you're better off staying away from high dose supplemented vitamin C.