Ascorbic Acid

What is Ascorbic Acid?

Ascorbic acid is the chemical name for Vitamin C, a water-soluble essential nutrient that plays a critical role in tissue repair, collagen synthesis, and immune function. Collagen, particularly Type I, acts as the primary structural protein in ligaments and tendons.

Why does urine have a Mineral Load?

When you consume more minerals than your body can use, or when you are dehydrated, your kidneys concentrate these solutes for export. It’s also a sign of metabolic stress; after a brutal workout, your body "dumps" these minerals as it recalibrates your internal chemistry.

Why track your Mineral Load?

Unlike most animals, humans can’t produce Vitamin C; we must consume it through diet or supplements. It’s a vital antioxidant and the primary architect of the collagen your joints and tissues need to stay resilient.

Many athletes use it to fight soreness known as "delayed onset muscle soreness" after exercise, but there’s a catch: taking Vitamin C immediately after a workout can actually stall your gains.

There's also something else. Evidence now indicates that urinary Vitamin C can interfere with the urine dipstick results. So its quite important to time your intake so you aren't flushing out a ton of it right when you’re trying to get an accurate reading.

Why the seeming contradiction of Vitamin C supplementation?

Training is a "healthy stressor." It creates free radicals that act as messengers, telling your muscles: "That was tough! Build more mitochondria and stronger fibers so we're ready next time." If you flood your system with high-dose Vitamin C right after exercise, it "mops up" those messengers before they can deliver the signal. By neutralizing the stress too early, you accidentally cancel the adaptive response your workout was supposed to trigger.

Optimize your Vitamin C window. Use BodyCheck to fuel recovery while protecting your hard-earned gains.