The Claim

Acute supplementation with 1000 mg of vitamin C and 235 mg of vitamin E before endurance exercise has no significant effect on exercise-induced muscle damage as measured by creatine kinase levels in endurance-trained male runners aged 39–58 years.

Source: Effects of Acute Vitamin C plus Vitamin E Supplementation on Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage in Runners: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

What the research says

Supports is higher

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

Supports
80score
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

Taking 1000 mg of vitamin C and 235 mg of vitamin E before a long run does not lower the level of creatine kinase in the blood, which is a marker of muscle damage, in male runners aged 39–58 who regularly train for endurance events.

See the scientific wording

Acute supplementation with 1000 mg of vitamin C and 235 mg of vitamin E before endurance exercise does not significantly reduce exercise-induced muscle damage, as measured by creatine kinase levels, in endurance-trained male runners aged 39–58 years, suggesting that this antioxidant regimen does not protect against muscle cell disruption following prolonged running.

Why this might work

Taking vitamin C and vitamin E before running does not stop the physical tearing of muscle cell membranes that happens when muscles are stretched and contracted hard for a long time, so muscle proteins leak into the blood at the same rate whether or not the vitamins are taken.

Verified mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Effects of Acute Vitamin C plus Vitamin E Supplementation on Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage in Runners: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

    The study gave runners vitamins C and E before a long run and found they didn’t help reduce muscle damage compared to those who took a fake pill. So, taking these vitamins before running doesn’t protect your muscles.

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.