Facts about vitamin E and muscle damage

Scientists from Pennsylvania State University examined the effect of vitamin E on 12 weight-trained men [1].

The men were assigned to one of two groups. Group one took 1200 IU of vitamin E daily. The placebo group used a dummy pill.

After two weeks of weight-training and supplementation, there was a reduction in muscle damage in the group taking vitamin E. This, in turn, may play a role in speeding up recovery.

Other studies, however, show different results. At least two other studies show that 1200 IU of vitamin E daily has no effect on muscle damage [2, 3].

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References
1. McBride JM, Kraemer WJ, Triplett-McBride T, Sebastianelli W. Effect of resistance exercise on free radical production. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1998 Jan;30(1):67-72
2. Effects of vitamin E supplementation on recovery from repeated bouts of resistance exercise. Avery NG, Kaiser JL, Sharman MJ, Scheett TP, Barnes DM, Gomez AL, Kraemer WJ, Volek JS. J Strength Cond Res. 2003 Nov;17(4):801-9
3. Contraction-induced muscle damage is unaffected by vitamin E supplementation. Beaton LJ, Allan DA, Tarnopolsky MA, Tiidus PM, Phillips SM. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2002 May;34(5):798-805