Importance of Vitamin C

The importance of vitamin C should not be underestimated. This vitamin is essential for hundreds of metabolic functions as well as for a strong immune system.

See what else has vitamin C.

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an essential nutrient. It is used for tissue repair, healthy gums, adrenal function and many other things. It is also shown to help reduce the symptoms of asthma.

The importance of vitamin C is also seen in its antioxidant ability. Additionally, vitamin C is believed to protect against cancer and build immune function. Interestingly, vitamin C can also bind with heavy metals in the body, rendering them harmless and allowing them to pass from he body. Vitamin C is an amazing vitamin indeed!

There is some evidence that vitamin C may reduce LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) while elevating HDL cholesterol (the good kind). It can lower high blood pressure naturally and may even help prevent atherosclerosis. It is important for blood to clot correctly as well.Vitamin C has so many benefits, it is hard to list everything in one article.

Even though the body cannot produce its own supply of vitamin C, it isn't difficult to get enough of it in your diet. The best news is that it is also difficult to get too much of this important vitamin. Excess that your body cannot use is passed out of the body in the urine. If you do manage to get too much, the worst that will happen is probably a sick stomach.

Scurvy is caused by vitamin C deficiency. This disease doesn't occur very often, but many years ago it was quite common. More common signs of deficiency include bleeding gums, lack of energy, weak immune system, easy bruising and lack of energy.

If you exhibit any of the previously listed symptoms, you may want to explore the importance of vitamin C further. You can try supplements to bring your vitamin C levels where they need to be. However, it is more fun to get what you need from the foods you eat. This is because there are many tasty foods that are rich in vitamin C. Here are a few of the more popular sources:

• Berries
• Citrus fruits
• Asparagus
• Beets
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Cantaloupe
• Mangoes
• Onions
• Papaya
• Strawberries
• Pineapple
• Tomatoes
• Sweet peppers
• and many more

As you can see, there are so many rich, delicious sources of vitamin C, it should be easy to get at least the RDA of 60 mg per day.

If vitamin C is so easy to get, how do people become deficient? It may be due to lifestyle or even certain medications. For example, smoking can deplete your body of vitamin C. When you realize the importance of vitamin C, you may be motivated even more to quit the habit and improve your health.

Other things that deplete your vitamin C levels include drinking alcohol and medications such as antidepressants, analgesics, oral contraceptives and anticoagulants. Additionally, some drugs may not be as effective if taken with vitamin C or vitamin C rich foods. Examples of these include chlorpropamide and sulfa drugs.

If you decide to supplement, doses should be spread out over twice per day. If you tend to experience stomach upset when taking vitamin C supplements, try an Ester-C supplement. Ester-C is not as acidic and won't bother your stomach as much.

Start with a small dose and gradually increase your dose until you are at a level you are comfortable with. Your doctor or health care provider may recommend a certain dose to strive for if you have certain health issues. If you work your way up, your stomach should handle the increase just fine. If you experience diarrhea, cut back your dose until things return to normal.

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