Vitamin E may crank up creatine

The antioxidant vitamin E may support the role of creatine in muscle repair and sustained energy reserves, according to a recent report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

 

Dr William Evans from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences reported that vitamin E had antioxidant properties which helped circulate creatine kinase, the enzyme that helps boost energy for muscle activity and maintenance by converting the energy molecule ATP and creatine.

 

"Vitamin E causes a greater increase in circulating creatine kinase activity, perhaps indicating increased skeletal muscle repair," Dr Evans reported. Intense training increases the production of free radicals in the body, degrading fatty acids and potentially damaging cells and tissue. This results in increased susceptibility to disease and rapid ageing. Antioxidants are those nutrients or substances which eliminate free radicals.

 

Dr Evans report also suggested that aerobic exercise could make up for the free radical damage of strength training by stimulating the release of the body's own antioxidant, superoxide dismutase.

 

"Exercise increases the generation of oxygen free radicals and lipid peroxidation. Strenuous exercise in a person who is unconditioned or unaccustomed to exercise will induce oxidative damage and result in muscle injury. However, aerobic exercise training strengthens the antioxidant defense system by increasing superoxide dismutase.

 

"Vitamin C and, especially, vitamin E are shown to decrease the exercise-induced increase in the rate of lipid peroxidation.

 

" Lipid peroxidation is another form of free radical damage, referring to the degradation or spoiling of fatty acids in the body.