Question 1

What are antioxidants used for?

Accepted Answer

They counter oxidative stress, which rises with high training load, illness and a narrow diet. For someone eating varied food, the need for supplementation is limited.

Question 2

Are antioxidants needed with a good diet?

Accepted Answer

A diet rich in vegetables, berries and olive oil covers most of it. Supplements are most relevant under high load, with recovery problems, or during a period of narrow eating.

Question 3

When should they be taken?

Accepted Answer

With a meal, and preferably further away from your training session. Timing is what most people get wrong in this category.

Question 4

Do antioxidants blunt training adaptation?

Accepted Answer

Only at high doses taken close to the session — very high doses of vitamin C and E immediately afterwards can blunt the signal that drives adaptation. Normal dietary intake and moderate supplementation do not affect adaptation.

Question 5

Can the effect be measured?

Accepted Answer

Not directly in routine blood work. We therefore evaluate against recovery, training quality and sleep rather than a laboratory value.

Antioxidants

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