If I exercise and take antioxidant supplements, I’ll be superfi t

If I exercise and take antioxidant supplements, I’ll be superfi t

Working out leads to more oxidation and an
increase in free radicals. That’s not a bad thing.
“Since free-radical production is a normal
response to exercise, taking a large dose of
antioxidants right after a workout could interfere
with the natural, benefi cial response to
exercise,” says nutritionist Alan Aragon, M.S.,
a Men’s Health weight-loss expert. The logic is
unexpected but clear: Scientists speculate that
the oxidative stress triggered by exercise promotes
insulin sensitivity and weight loss, and
possibly reduces your risk of diabetes.
Case in point: A 2009 German study found
that when exercisers took antioxidant supplements
(vitamins C and E), they weren’t
rewarded with the typical postexercise boost
in insulin sensitivity. So much for that wellintentioned
antioxidant-fortifi ed recovery
drink. Michael Ristow, M.D., an author of the
study and chairman of the department of
human nutrition at the University of Jena,
Germany, speculates that other antioxidant
supplements might have similar negative
eff ects, though more study is needed.
Supplements can even sap your power:
A 2006 British study found that runners who
took 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C daily for a
week lost muscle strength.
Do this If you’re exercising to lose weight,
your antioxidants should come from whole
foods, not from supplements or antioxidantenhanced
food products. When it comes to
antioxidants, more isn’t always better.