Vitamin C (Vit C) supplementation can be beneficial for the athletes because of its antioxidant capacity and its positive effects on the iron absorption which is important for oxygen binding and transport capacity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of vitamin C supplementation on serum iron (SFe) level and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) in active wrestlers.

Fourteen active wrestlers between the ages of 20-24 from Ankara region participated in this study. Subjects were divided to experimental (n=7; Xage= 20.7±1.5) and control (n=7; Xage= 20.4±0.5) groups. Experimental group received vit C orally (0.5g x 2/24 hr) for a month. Throughout the study both groups consumed the same diet. Before and after the one month period of vit C supplementation fasting SFe, urine ascorbic acid (UAA) levels and TIBC were measured. The same procedure was also followed for unsupplemented group. SFe level and TIBC were measured by spectrophotometric methods. UAA level was measured by colorimetric method. Smoking and vitamin supplementation habits were also questioned. Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon rank test were used for statistical analysis.

There were significant increases in UAA and SFe level (U=42, p<0.05) but there was not difference in total iron binding capacity (U=34, p>0.05) of experimental group. The results of this study indicated that vit C supplementation was successful on the iron absorption but it was not effective on the iron storage capacity.

Unchanged total iron binding capacity in vit C supplemented wrestlers may indicate that these wrestlers do not need extra vit C support. This study would be repeated by different vit C supplementation protocols.