Vitamin C & Gelatin Supplementation for Sports Performance & Recovery

Back when I was training as an open athlete (1984-93), the only supplement I would take was Vitamin C. It was well researched that Vitamin C could help “reduce the chances of catching a cold”, “reduce the effects of cold symptoms when you had a cold”, and improve collagen synthesis in muscles and connective tissue (joints, tendons, fascia, etc).

Back then, we didn’t have the Internet, other than McGill’s UUNET. And I thought the reason they served strawberries and cream after Wimbledon matches was the high content of Vitamin C in strawberries!

Supplements weren’t very popular, so I would buy this foul smelling “Surbex 500” that has 500mg of Vitamin C, plus added B Complex. I was also a coffee drinker, and told that coffee destroys B complex vitamins in your body. (Be careful who you listen to. Everyone is an Internet Expert and Researcher these days!)

Back then, the book Optimum Sports Nutrition by Michael Colgan was the “only” known book on sports nutrition out there. (You can buy it used for less than $1.00 today)

Vitamin C–enriched gelatin supplementation before intermittent activity augments collagen synthesis

I think many of us are familiar with the “Jello” brand of gelatin, used for desserts back in the old days. In College, some of us would make “Electric Jello”, and replace water for alcohol, but that’s another story.

In the study Vitamin C–enriched gelatin supplementation before intermittent activity augments collagen synthesis, it suggests that gelatin made with Vitamin C might support the body’s natural ability to produce collagen! You know where that is leading to…

Collagen is an integral part of the body’s extracellular matrix, which consists of a mix of water, proteins, and carbohydrates

Gelatin has a similar amino acid profile to collagen because of its proline (a proteinogenic amino acid) content. Since Vitamin C has a role in collagen formation, the two together makes perfect sense!

If you’re willing to try this at home, you can find out dosages in the article. Store bought gelatin and powdered Vitamin C are easy to come by (unless you are affected by the coronavirus lockdown!)

This combination is also referred to as “gelatin shots”.

Is this Against the Spirit of the Sport?

“The spirit of sport” is defined as the essence of Olympism, the pursuit of human excellence through the dedicated perfection of each person’s talents. It is how we play true. The spirit of sport is the celebration of the human spirit, body and mind, and is reflected in values we find in and through sport, including Ethics, fairplay and honesty; health; excellence in performance; character and education; fun and joy; teamwork; dedication and commitment; respect for rules and laws; respect for self and other Participants; courage; community and solidarity. (SOURCE: www.wada-ama.org)

Where do we cross the line?

I’m not asking you to go see a doctor and get a prescription for Thyroid medication when you clearly don’t need it.

I’m not asking you to obtain Testosterone cream, and apply it daily on your skin, when you clearly don’t need it.

And I’m not asking you “milkshake” with baking soda, which is very common in horse racing. This, by the way, gives you diarrhea if you don’t get your dose correct.

But eating Gelatin laced with Vitamin C (or taking Vitamin C with gelatin – your choice) to improve your connective tissue appears more of a health supplement to me. Fair play. Remember, Food is Fuel.

If you’ve tried this, please comment below and share your results. (Anonymous if you like)