Vitamin E May Help Protect Against Muscle Damage

Exercise-induced muscle damage results from increased oxidative stress and inflammation and is characterized by muscle soreness, muscle stiffness, and muscle weakness. According to a new study, supplementation with vitamin E may help protect against exercise-induced muscle damage.

For their study, researchers from Kyung Hee University reviewed findings from 44 randomized controlled trials. The trials examined the effect of vitamin E supplementation on exercise-induced muscle damage caused by oxidative stress and inflammation.

The researchers found that supplementation with vitamin E helped protect against exercise-induced muscle damage. Supplementation decreased levels of creatine kinase, which indicates lower muscle damage. It also decreased levels of lactate dehydrogenase, indicating less tissue damage.

The effect was strongest immediately after exercise and for participants who were athletes. The researchers also found that supplementation dosages lower than 500 IUs of vitamin E had the strongest effect.

The study was published online ahead of print on April 12, 2022 in the journal Nutrients.