Vitamin E and Skeletal Muscle
Vitamin and Minerals February 15th, 2008Vitamin E is well recognized for its antioxidant properties, furthermore, there is evidence that suggests a possible role of vitamin E in maintaining skeletal muscle. In a study performed at Penn State University, 12 weight-trained men were divided into two groups -
- One group received 1200 IUs of vitamin E once per day for 2 weeks
- The control group received a cellulose-based placebo pill.
They subsequently performed some typical resistance exercises such as the bench press, military press, calf raise, leg press, rows, bicep curls, and squat.
Creatine kinase (CK), an indirect marker of muscle fiber injury, is known to increase after a bout of unaccustomed or intense exercise(s). In this study, plasma CK levels increased significantly in both groups after 24 and 48 hours; however, the increase in CK was less in the vitamin E-supplemented group than it was in the placebo group at 24 hours. In essence, this would suggest that the degree of injury caused by lifting heavy weights was much less in the vitamin E-supplemented group versus the placebo group.
Though vitamin E has been touted as an agent that might decrease the incidence of cardiovascular disease, it could also aid in skeletal muscle recovery postÂexercise. Certainly, the evidence is intriguing.
Tags:heavy weights, intense exercise, muscle recovery, skeletal muscle Vitamin and Minerals