Vitamin C Facts

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient to our health. Vitamin C is actually considered an anti-oxidant. This vitamin is responsible for several processes within our body and without vitamin C our body has little protection against oxidative stress. This is a process that causes cell damage and toxic effects through the production of free radicals and peroxides. Some of the symptoms of oxidative stress can include Parkinson’s disease, heart failure, Alzheimer’s and even chronic fatigue syndrome. As humans we do not actually produce this vitamin naturally so our required levels need to come from diet or supplementation.

The more we know about vitamin C the more we realize how essential they are to preventing diseases.  Vitamin C prevents against strokes and cancer as well as boosting immunity and even benefiting your eyes. The RDA (Recommended Daily Amount) for this vitamin however is somewhere between 40-60 mg of ascorbic acid, and this is considered a reasonable amount. It’s recommended through research from doctors and dieticians however that it can take about 500 milligrams or more a day of vitamin C to achieve its health benefits. This is in addition to maintaining a balanced diet incorporating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables.

Many of us know that most citrus fruits, brightly coloured red and orange vegetables contain a certain amount of vitamin C. Good sources of this vitamin come from foods such as strawberries, potatoes, peppers, peas, tomatoes and broccoli. Raw is best as well if you can handle it as cooking can destroy the nutrients.

What if you want to take a supplement or vitamin to get vitamin C?  Make sure that you are choosing a supplement that is scientifically formulated. It needs to contain the appropriate amount of ascorbic acid including the other nutrients that help to make the most benefit of the acid. Vitamin C is also a water-soluble supplement meaning that if we have too much we do not store this supplement internally but rather it passes through our digestive system. It’s still not a good idea to have mega-doses of vitamin C and it’s best to keep within moderation. It is also recommended if possible to take vitamin C in liquid form as opposed to pill form simply because our body can more easily absorb this vitamin in this way.

Finally, many people have believed the popular myth that drowning a cold in vitamin C will help to get rid of it. Although there are definite immune boosting benefits in this supplement it is not a cure for the common cold and other methods should also be considered.