The Claim

Daily supplementation with 1000 mg of vitamin C and 235 mg of vitamin E for 10–12 weeks has no significant negative effect on muscle mass and strength gains in healthy elderly men aged 60–80 years undergoing resistance training, and may result in a slight increase in these outcomes, potentially through reduction of oxidative stress associated with aging.

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
76score
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.

Cause and effect
1 study reviewed
In plain English

In healthy men aged 60–80 who perform resistance training, taking 1000 mg of vitamin C and 235 mg of vitamin E daily for 10–12 weeks does not reduce muscle mass or strength gains and may lead to a small increase in these outcomes, possibly due to lower levels of oxidative stress.

See the scientific wording

Daily supplementation with 1000 mg of vitamin C and 235 mg of vitamin E for 10–12 weeks does not significantly impair, and may slightly enhance, gains in muscle mass and strength in healthy elderly men (60–80 years) undergoing resistance training, possibly by mitigating age-related oxidative stress.

Why this might work

In older people, muscle cells have too much oxidative damage from aging, which blocks the signals that tell the muscle to grow. Taking vitamin C and E reduces this damage, allowing the muscle to respond better to exercise by turning on the pathways that build new muscle protein.

Supported 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?

    In older men, taking these vitamin pills during strength training didn’t stop them from getting stronger or building muscle, and might have helped a little—unlike in young men, where it hurt gains.

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.