Importance Of Vitamin C

Increasing your daily vitamin C levels can lead to an increased protection against colds, and a faster recovery from symptoms such as sneezing, coughing and a runny nose.

In this article we will have a look at some of the health benefits associated with vitamin C.

What Does Vitamin C Do?

Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, is a water soluble vitamin and perhaps the best known of all vitamins. One of the key benefits of vitamin C is that it increases the body’s defenses to infections, especially colds and the flu.

Vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant, which means it can protect your body from the harmful effects of free radicals which are thought to contribute to the development of disease and aging.

In addition to this vitamin C also helps to maintain healthy skin, as it is used by the body in the formation of collagen. Due to these effects, vitamin C may have a protective role against heart disease.

If it is combined with vitamin E, the benefits of vitamin C can be enhanced as both vitamins work synergistically together.

How Much Vitamin C Do You Need?

Since the body cannot store vitamin C it is important that you get a regular supply of it.

The RDA for vitamin C is set at 40-70mg, but most health practitioners believe that you need at least 500-1000mg of vitamin C each day.

Where Do You Get Vitamin C?

Vitamin C is mainly found in fruit and berries, although it is also found in some vegetables.

If you eat a healthy balanced diet, you should be getting a decent amount of vitamin C just from the foods you eat.

Vitamin C Supplements

Since vitamin C supplements are usually very inexpensive, most people choose to supplement with vitamin C on a daily basis.

What Is The Best Vitamin C Supplement To Take?

At minimum you should be looking for a supplement that contains ascorbic acid in addition to bioflavonoids, as this will help to increase your body’s ability to absorb the vitamin C.

However some people would argue that ascorbic acid is not vitamin C, and it is better to take a whole food supplement or a natural supplement such as rosehip.

Who Needs Extra Vitamin C?

Anyone who is looking to enhance their immunity or speed up wound healing would benefit from taking extra vitamin C.

The same applies to smokers, women on the pill or people taking antibiotics, as all of these decrease the amount of vitamin C available to the body.

Elderly people may also benefit from taking extra vitamin C to protect against heart disease.

Signs Of Vitamin C Deficiency

• Scurvy
• Repeated Infections
• Bleeding Gums
• Brittle Dry Skin

Best Food Sources Of Vitamin C

• Blackcurrants
• Oranges
• Strawberries
• Bell Peppers
• Broccoli
• Kiwi Fruit
• Rosehips