Why do you need vitamins c?

Answer 1

Vitamin C supplements benefits are many as ascorbic acid prevents several debilitating conditions and increases the body's immunity. It is very popular as a cell protector, immune system enhancer and powerful antioxidant agent. Collagen, tendons and ligaments depend upon Vitamin C to stay strong and healthy. Vitamin C supplements benefits also include recycling other antioxidants and generally, it is better to consume Vitamin C supplements along with other antioxidants like carotenodis, vitamin E and flavonoids.

Vitamin C supplements benefits include rejuvenation and antidote for illnesses such as cold and flu. It reduces the intensity and duration of many health ailments. Wounds are reported to heal much faster since ascorbic acid has inflammation inhibitory action. Gums are protected by a regular consumption of the ascorbic acid. For this purpose, it is generally taken with flavonoids. The body's protecting system against cardiac ailments is improved if the cholesterol and lipid levels are under control. Vitamin C supplements benefits include keeping these levels under control.

On the other hand, signs of Vitamin C supplements deficiencies include susceptibility to infection particularly bronchial infections and cold, joint ache and altered digestion. Other signs of ascorbic acid deficiencies of are lethargy (lack of energy), susceptibility to bruise easily, weak teeth and poor digestion. Most popular vitamin C deficiency is the disease called scurvy. This disease is not so common in Western countries; however, it features soft spongy bleeding gums, severe debility, edema, poor wound healing, and bleedings under the skin.

Vitamin C supplements benefits can be achieved if they are consumed on a daily basis for certain period. They are not a onetime dose since the body requires ascorbic acid for maintaining various body systems and their functions. Moreover, since this Vitamin is water soluble, the body loses this through urine. That is why, daily supplements of this Vitamin either through ready made supplements or through foods is advised.

Vitamin C supplements benefits include antioxidant properties, as said before. However, there are many researches that indicate that ascorbic acid prevents certain types of cancer as it protects healthy cells from free-radical damage. It specifically helps reducing the risks of cancers of the stomach and esophagus. This possible Vitamin C supplement benefits action is due to blockage the conversion of nitrates and nitrites into cancer-causing components.

The vitamin is a very useful in various eye problems such as cataracts. It protects the eyes against cigarette smoke and UV rays that are two of the main causes that give raise to cataracts. Vitamin C supplements benefits enhance when they are taken along with pantothenic acid as for migraines, it is very good. When used in combination with other antioxidants like vitamin E and flavonoids, ascorbic acid serves as anti-wrinkle agent.

Whatever the Vitamin supplements are taken, it is always better to consult the health care provider for their doses and timings. Over or under doses of vitamins may be harmful to the body. And, rather than benefiting, it may end up with some health ailments.

As far as humans go, the C Vitamin is indispensable. The English learned this long ago in the prevention of scurvy, by the use of limes given to sailors at sea. Out bodies need vitamin c for a variety of reasons and deficiency can cause numerous problems.

Lets look at vitamin c in more detail

What is the C Vitamin Made of?

C Vitamin is water soluble that we need for growth and repair of tissues in every part of our body. C Vitamin is responsible in collagen formation (and very important protein used to make skin, tendons, ligaments, scar tissue and blood vessels).

C Vitamin is crucial for wound healing, and the daily maintenance and repair of our bones, teeth, and cartilage.

C Vitamin is basically another name for ascorbic acid. Many animals (except rats and primates) make their own. However, as it's so necessary, the C Vitamin is an indispensable element of our daily diet.

What does the C Vitamin do?

Basically, the C Vitamin is used by the body in the electron transport chain, and specifically the one that produces ATP. As regards wound healing, the C Vitamin is involved in connective tissue, and its connective tissue that is called to action in any wound (tissue and remodeling). Also, as collagen is present in the organic matrix of bone tissue, the C Vitamin is essential there too.

Technically, the C Vitamin is involved also in many other metabolic reactions. Some of these, but not all, are the catabolism of tyrosine (and later the synthesis of epinephrine from tyrosine), and later the acids of the bile.

The C Vitamin is even more important than most people may imagine. For example, the essential formation of steroids (from the adrenal cortex) reveals high levels of the C Vitamin. These are later depleted with ACTH (adreno-corticotropic hormones) stimulation of the adrenal cortex (and adrenaline).

What Are the Symptoms of C Vitamin Deficiency?

The worst, it seems is the disease scurvy (cured by Lord Lister by the administration of limes in the diets of English sailors). However, there are minor to major symptoms of C Vitamin deficiency, which include gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), very dry, splitting and falling hair, dry and scaly skin, nose bleeding, very easy bruising and swollen and painful joints.

For more serious symptoms you can have anemia, very decreased wound healing, easy weight gain, and a very decreased immune system.

How Much of the C Vitamin Should You Take?

A good recommended dose (after consulting a doctor, naturally) would be between 500 mg and 1000 mg daily. They can be found in tablets, but you can also get all you need from food.

Many fruits and vegetables have all the C Vitamin you need to stay healthy. These can be found in all citric fruits, but other foods, like the kiwi have huge amounts of available C Vitamin.

Also, eat fresh (raw as the C Vitamin is destroyed by heat) green peppers, watermelon, grapefruit, any yellow melon, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, spinach, cauliflower, cabbage, any forest berry (cranberry, blue berries, raspberry, etc) pineapple, turnip greens, mustard greens, and brussel sprouts.

Are Tablets OK too?

Yes they are, but naturally, fresh food is more advisable. Choose a buffered form of the C Vitamin, as its absorption is better, and will not upset your stomach. Some companies add bioflavonoids to their C Vitamin mix to make it even more potent.

Remember, you need more of the C Vitamin if you are ill, wounded, or run down. Try to get it from foods rich in the C Vitamin as mention above.

Answer 2

= Vitamin C = Jump to: navigation, search

This article is about the nutrient. For the chemical compound, see ascorbic acid.

For other uses, see Vitamin C (disambiguation).

ascorbic acid

(reduced form)

dehydroascorbic acid

(oxidized form)

Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is an essential nutrient for humans, a large number of higher primate species, a small number of other mammalian species (notably guinea pigs and bats), a few species of birds, and some fish.[1] Ascorbate (an ion of ascorbic acid) is required for a range of essential metabolic reactions in all animals and plants. It is made internally by almost all organisms, humans being a notable exception. It is widely known that a deficiency in this vitamin causes scurvy in humans.[2][3][4] It is also widely used as a food additive. The pharmacophore of vitamin C is the ascorbate ion. In living organisms, ascorbate is an anti-oxidant, since it protects the body against oxidative stress,[5] and is a cofactor in several vital enzymatic reactions.[6] Scurvy has been known since ancient times. People in many parts of the world assumed it was caused by a lack of fresh plant foods. The British Navy adopted the practice of supplementing sailors' diets with lemon juice in 1795[7]. Ascorbic acid was finally isolated by 1933 and synthesized in 1934. The uses and recommended daily intake of vitamin C are matters of on-going debate. A recent meta-analysis of 68 reliable antioxidant supplementation experiments involving a total of 232,606 individuals concluded that consuming additional ascorbate from supplements may not be as beneficial as thought.[8]