Vitamin E Does not Favor Recovery After Exercises: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #antioxidants #creatine-kinase #dietary-supplements #exercise

Vitamin E Does not Favor Recovery After Exercises: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

de et al., 2024 | Int J Sports Med | Meta Analysis

Citation

de Lima Katieli Santos, Schuch Felipe, ... Signori Luis Ulisses. Vitamin E Does not Favor Recovery After Exercises: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Int J Sports Med. 2024-Jun;45(7):485-495. doi:10.1055/a-2221-5688

Abstract

This review aimed to verify the effects of vitamin E supplementation on oxidative stress, inflammatory response, muscle damage, soreness, and strength in healthy adults after exercise. We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Web of Science from inception to August 2023, with no language restrictions. We included randomized placebo-controlled trials evaluating the supplementation of vitamin E on the abovementioned outcomes after a bout of physical exercise in healthy participants (no restriction for publication year or language). Meta-analyses were conducted to compare vitamin E and placebo supplementations to obtain a 95% confidence interval (95%IC). Twenty studies were included (n=298 participants). The effect of supplementation was assessed between 0 h and 96 h after the exercise. Compared to placebo, vitamin E had no effects on lipid (95%IC= -0.09 to 0.42), protein (-2.44 to 3.11), SOD (-1.05 to 0.23), interleukin-6 (-0.18 to 1.16), creatine kinase (-0.33 to 0.27), muscle soreness (-1.92 to 0.69), and muscle strength (-1.07 to 0.34). Heterogeneity for the analyses on carbonyls, interleukin-6 (1 h and 3 h), and muscle soreness ranged between 70 to 94%. Supplementing with vitamin E should not be recommended to support the recovery process in healthy individuals after exercise, given the lack of efficacy in the analyzed variables following an exercise session.

Key Findings

Supplementing with vitamin E should not be recommended to support the recovery process in healthy individuals after exercise, given the lack of efficacy in the analyzed variables following an exercise session.

Outcomes Measured

  • inflammatory markers

Population

Field Value
Population healthy adults
Sample Size 298
Age Range See abstract
Condition stress

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Antioxidants
  • Creatine Kinase
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Exercise
  • Inflammation
  • Interleukin-6
  • Muscle Strength
  • Muscle, Skeletal
  • Myalgia
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Vitamin E

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis
  • Vertical: vitamin-e

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09