The Claim

High-dose vitamin C and E supplementation in young adults reduces the acute phosphorylation of p70S6K following resistance training, which is associated with diminished long-term muscle hypertrophy.

Source: Can supplementation with vitamin C and E alter physiological adaptations to strength training?

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
38score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

How it works
1 study reviewed
In plain English

In young adults, taking high doses of vitamin C and E after weight training reduces a specific molecular signal involved in muscle growth, leading to less muscle growth over time.

See the scientific wording

In young adults, high-dose vitamin C and E supplementation blunts the acute phosphorylation of p70S6K—a key signaling protein in muscle protein synthesis—within hours after resistance training, suggesting a mechanistic link to reduced long-term hypertrophy.

Why this might work

After a workout, muscles produce molecules called reactive oxygen species that act as signals to turn on muscle growth. High doses of vitamin C and E remove these signals before they can activate key growth proteins. Without these signals, the main growth pathway in muscle cells stays inactive, so the muscle doesn't build new protein or get bigger over time.

Verified mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Can supplementation with vitamin C and E alter physiological adaptations to strength training?

    Taking high doses of vitamin C and E after weight training seems to interfere with the body’s natural muscle-building signals, leading to smaller muscle gains over time in young adults.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.