Today’s quick tip is regarding the use of Vitamin C post workout. Vitamin C has been shown to reduce cortisol levels which is very important to do post work out. What is cortisol? Cortisol is a type of hormone produced in the body that is best known as the “stress” hormone. It is produced during times of stress (exercise) and elicits the ‘fight or flight’ response which helps us to perform exercises. However, elevated levels of lingering cortisol after exercise can be very harmful as high levels of cortisol are linked to elevated blood pressure, muscular degradation (hurts the gains you are trying to make by exercising), excess perspiration and psychological issues which are a result of the effect cortisol has on the body’s production and balance of serotonin (a hormone found in the human brain which essentially controls our ability to feel happy).
It is important to note that the effects of cortisol are both short and long term. For instance, your blood pressure will become elevated rather quickly, your mood may change and you will likely continue to perspire after exercise if cortisol levels are too high.
So what can you do? Taking vitamin C pre and post workout has been shown to significantly help lower and control cortisol levels. In addition, Vitamin C helps with the absorption of protein. Taking vitamin C therefore means you might not only be putting a serious issue under control (one that is eating away at the work you’ve just put in) but you may also be helping your body optimize it’s ability to take in protein which is, of course, a building block for muscle tissue.
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