Stress is particularly damaging to the body because it causes detrimental changes to normal homeostatic function. When stress is acute, hormonal and nervous activity occurs that restores normal function after a period of rest and adaptation. Exercise is a form of stress and following exercise the body undergoes a period of disruption whereby restoratorative processes occur and this leads to an improved resilience to further stress. However, if the stress is chronic or severe, detrimental health effects occur. Vitamin C may be able to improve the adaptive process to stress by modulating the stress response following exercise. For example, in one study researchers observed significant attenuation of the stress response in ultramarathon runners who consumed 1500 mg per day of vitamin C, but not in those who took 500 mg per day. This took the form of a significant reduction in circulating cortisol and adrenaline. In addition, the vitamin C group also had significant reductions in inflammation through lower cytokine release.
Eat Well, Stay Healthy, Protect Yourself
RdB
