A new study demonstrates that supplementing with vitamin C actually decreases athletic performance.  Its a great study because the authors actually figured out why they got the results they did--here's the synopsis:

The researchers took a group of "healthy, sedentary men" and divided them into 2 groups.  Group A did routine aerobic exercise for 8 weeks and took no supplements.  Group B did the same workout program, but took 1 gram (1,000 milligrams--what you find in one "emergen-C") of vitamin C.

The researchers measured a key marker of endurance fitness called the VO2max before and after the study.  Here are the results:

• The group that did not take vitamin C improved 22%
• The group that took vitamin C improved 10.8%

Put another way, the group that took the vitamin C achieved less than half of the gains that the other group experienced!  The interesting part is why, and here it is in a large nutshell.

Exercise in and of itself creates free radicals.  These free radicals then trigger the body to make 2 major antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase.  These two antioxidants are incredibly powerful neutralizers of free radicals and they appear to be part of a signaling system that causes the body to make mitochondria.  Mitochondria, in turn, are the "energy factories" of our cells.  Increasing their numbers gives us further ability to create energy for endurance.  The researchers in this study found that taking vitamin C inhibited the body's natural antioxidant pathways  as well as the creation of new mitochondria.  So the bottom line is: if you take vitamin C you decrease your body's natural antioxidant defense system and literally sabatage your capacity to create energy.  Here's the scary part--millions of Americans are taking 1,000mg of vitamin C every day without even thinking about.  We have a surge of fatigue-related diseases such as chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia.  Ironically, these very populations are the ones often taking more vitamin C because they think its good for them!

Please read my Antioxidant Article to get a better understanding of how to increase your antioxidant status.  You just can't substitute for whole foods!  Pill-form antioxidants are killing you!

Read the study here.

Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is the 3rd most commonly diagnosed rheumatic disease after osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It is not uncommon for a patient to walk into my office with neck or low back pain and incidentally note during the history that they have fibromyalgia. They often feel that the FMS is hardly worth mentioning because they believe it is untreatable. This is simply not the case. I have seen the following strategies literally cure FMS sufferers in my own office, and have seen many others improve dramatically.

Here are some strategies that you can begin to implement today if you suffer from FMS.

1) Regular chiropractic care. Chiropractic adjustments affect your entire nervous system. The adjustment itself is a "key" to the central nervous system. Brain patterns and the balance of parasympathetic to sympathetic nervous system activity change. Studies have repeatedly shown the ability of chiropractic to modulate the nervous system, and other studies have shown imbalance in the sympathetic nervous system in individuals with FMS.

2) Malic Acid and Magnesium supplementation. In 1995 the journal Rheumatology found that daily supplementation with 2400mg of malic acid and 600mg of magnesium greatly reduced symptoms in FMS sufferers. No side-effects were reported. These nutrients support energy production within your cells.

3) Low level laser therapy: A 2002 study in Rheumatology International reported that low level laser therapy was a safe and effective treatment for FMS. I have had excellent results with this in my clinic. It has no side-effects.

4) Omega-3 fatty acids: These healthy fats modulate the nervous system and decrease systemic inflammation.

5) Tryptophan: this essential amino acid can be converted to serotonin and melatonin in the body. Serotonin is necessary for pain control, and melatonin for normal sleep rhythms. Many FMS patients are prescribed antidepressants called SSRI's that make serotonin "hang around" longer. In my opinion these drugs are very harmful when used long-term (Read PROZAC BACKLASH by Harvard Psychiatrist Joseph Glenmullen). It is as effective and much safer to use a tryptophan precursor called 5-HTP under the guidance of your chiropractor or medical doctor.

6) Lifestyle changes. These include a graded exercise program, good sleep habits, and mind-body therapy such as meditation or tai' chi. If you or someone you know suffers from Fibromyalgia Syndrome, make an appointment today! It may change your life.