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Should I Take Vitamin C

Vitamin C Can Do A Lot Of Good For Your Body But Not If It Leaves You Nauseated Or You Forget To Take It Every Day Here’s The Best Time To Take Your C

Should You Take Vitamin C Supplements For a Cold? | Dr. Ian Smith Answers

irishe4kaaa/ShutterstockVitamin C is an antioxidant powerhouse that may help shorten the duration of common colds and improve healing after surgery and thats not allcheckout 13 more potential health benefits of vitamin C. But to get the most from your supplements, you have to take C at the right time of day.

Also known as L-ascorbic acid, vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin. This means it is easily absorbed into body tissue. Unlike fat-soluble vitamins, water-soluble vitamins cant be stored by your body, so you need to replenish vitamin C regularly by eating C-rich foods or by taking supplements. Excess C and other water-soluble vitamins are cleared from your blood by your kidneys and excreted in your urine.

The National Institutes of Health experts recommend that men get 90 milligrams of vitamin C a day women should aim for 75 milligrams. If you smoke, add 35 mg to those values. Smoking can deplete vitamin C these are the signs you may be deficient in vitamin C.

Another option is to split up your doses, says Zembroski: This can improve absorption, reduce the chance that it will make you nauseated, and it can help keep your blood levels high all day as you wont be excreting as much of it in urine. Scheduling your dose after the same meal each day will help you remember to take it, he says.

Vitamin C Combined With Iron Leads To Better Absorption

Another plus to vitamin C is how it interacts with other vitamins and minerals in the body, such as iron. Iron supports proper growth and development, aids the bodys ability to deliver oxygen throughout the body, and helps make certain hormones, according to the NIH. Nonheme iron, which is the type of iron found in plants, can be tricky for the body to absorb, but eating vitamin C at the same time as nonheme iron leads to better absorption, according to Harvard Health Publishing.

RELATED: 6 Best Nutrient Pairings for Your Heart

Are Vitamin C Supplements Necessary

It is always best to get your nutrients from food rather than supplements.

Fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits, are good sources. Foods naturally rich in vitamin C include:

  • Raw red peppers: 95 mg per 1/2-cup serving
  • Orange juice: 90 mg per 3/4-cup serving
  • Orange: 70 mg per one medium fruit
  • Kiwi: 64 mg per one medium fruit
  • Raw green peppers: 60 mg per 1/2-cup serving
  • Cooked broccoli: 51 mg per 1/2-cup serving
  • Strawberries: 49 mg per 1/2-cup serving
  • Cooked Brussels sprouts: 48 mg per 1/2-cup serving
  • Tomato juice: 33 mg per 1/2-cup serving
  • Cantaloupe: 29 mg per 1/2-cup serving

If you don’t get enough vitamin C from what you eat, a supplement can help get you to the right levels.

Read Also: Is A One A Day Vitamin Enough

Protein + Vitamin C Smoothie Recipe

Made with whole fruits, greens, and protein, this vitamin C smoothie will help you feel healthy, satiated, and ready to take on the day.

This vitamin-packed smoothie includes a few of the top vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables to boost immune the system:

  • Strawberries
  • Kiwi
  • Kale
  • 1-1.5 cups unsweetened almond milk
  • 2 scoops vegan protein powder
  • 1 kiwi, peeled and cut
  • 1 cup strawberries, trimmed
  • 1 tbsp almond butter
  • 1/2 cup ice

Whats The Best Kind Of Vitamin C To Take

Vitamin C 101: What is it? How much should we get? And should you take ...

You may read this and think thats a LOT of vitamin C horse pills to swallow. I know how unpleasant that is. And did you know that the form of vitamin C in most grocery store supplements simply isnt going to work in your body like you want?

Studies continually show that discount and even some well-recognized brands are not as potent, and some dont even contain the levels of vitamin C they advertise.

Now thats downright wrong, and nothing frustrates me more! This is one of the big reasons I created the Essentially Whole® supplement line.

I was fed up with low-quality supplements and bending over backward to try to find a reputable sourceso Ive made it easy for you! All of my products are quality tested and guaranteed to be effective for your needs.

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Is It Ok To Take Vitamin C Every Day Daily Recommended Limits

  • Is It OK to Take Vitamin C Every Day? Daily Recommended Limits Center
  • It is OK to take vitamin C every day in recommended dosages. Since your body cant produce or store vitamin C on its own, you need to get it through food or supplements.

    Too much vitamin C, however, can cause side effects. Learn about the upper limits of vitamin C intake, how much you should have each day, and good sources to include in your diet.

    What Are Some Things I Need To Know Or Do While I Take Iron And Vitamin C

    • Tell all of your health care providers that you take iron and vitamin C. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
    • This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take iron and vitamin C.
    • If you are allergic to tartrazine, talk with your doctor. Some products have tartrazine.
    • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using iron and vitamin C while you are pregnant.
    • Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

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    The Right Time To Take Vitamin C

    As with most supplements, when and how you take your vitamin C influences its effectiveness.

    Because vitamin C is water-soluble, it doesnt need fat to be fully absorbed and used by the body, says Bhatia. So, while you dont technically need to take vitamin C with food, many products recommend that you do. Taking vitamin C on an empty stomach can cause minor irritation to your GI tract. People with sensitive stomachs may even experience cramping, gas, or diarrhea.

    The key: Take your C whenever youll consistently remember to do so. For most people that tends to be in the morning with breakfast, says Bhatia. However, since vitamin C wont make you groggy or extra-energized, you can take it with your lunch, an afternoon snack, or dinner.

    However, there is one caveat to keep in mind: Some research suggests that taking vitamin C after your workouts can actually negate their effectiveness, says Balduzzi.

    Why? Vitamin Cespecially in high dosescan hamper inflammation that occurs in muscle cells during and after a tough workout. While we typically label inflammation as bad, our muscles need this exercise-related inflammation to adapt and grow.

    Related: Exactly What To Eat And Drink After A Workout To Boost Recovery

    In fact, the authors of one large study found that vitamin C supplementation negatively impacted training efficiency. They urged caution when combining antioxidant supplements with exerciseparticularly endurance exercise.

    How Much Vitamin C Should I Be Taking

    How much vitamin C should I take with collagen?

    Recommended intakes of vitamin C have been developed by the Food and Nutrition Board. These are much higher than the amount required to prevent deficiency:

    • Infants, 0-6 months: 40mg
    • Infants, 7-12 months: 50mg
    • Children, 1-3 years: 15mg
    • Teenagers, 14-18 years: 75mg , 65mg
    • Adults: 90mg , 75mg
    • Pregnant women: 80mg , 85mg
    • Breastfeeding women: 115mg , 120mg .

    Whenever we have an infection or inflammation, our bodies require more vitamin C so your general intake should increase to cope with the extra demand.

    Many factors can impair the absorption of vitamin C or increase a persons requirement for it. The following people should include an extra 50-100mg of vitamin C per day in their diet or in the form of supplements:

    • People with cancer or who have a compromised immune system
    • People who drink alcohol daily or excessively
    • People with diabetes
    • Pregnant or breastfeeding women
    • Smokers.

    Rates of vitamin C deficiency vary around the world with rates as low as 7.1% in the United States to nearly 74% in India. Total vitamin C deficiency manifesting as scurvy is rare.

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    Heres What Makes My Essentially Whole Vitamin C Boost The #1 Choice For Vitamin C Supplements:

    • #1: Its DELICIOUS! Made with top-quality nutrients and all-natural flavors , Vitamin C Boost feels like a treatwhile you treat your body to what it needs!
    • #2: No fillers! Many vitamin C supplements and powders actually contain less vitamin C in comparison to their fillers, sweeteners, and other ingredients. This powder has only the good stuff!
    • #3: Its not just vitamin C . Im not talking about harmful additives hereVitamin C Boost combines vitamin C with other key antioxidants and inflammation-fighting nutrients, like you find in nature! Quercetin, hesperidin, and rutin are compounds found in many nutrient-dense veggies and fruits. Adding them to Vitamin C Boost gives it the extra edge you wont find anywhere else!
    • #4: Its so easy to take! I dont know about you, but I take LOTS of supplements. Adding vitamin C to the mix does not sound like fun. Instead, this powder blends seamlessly into a smoothie or shake, or you can just mix it into some water and have a delicious and refreshing drink thats delivering some major power to your body!

    Supporting your whole bodys health and wellbeing with vitamin C is so importantso dont wait!

    What Foods Contain Vitamin C

    In general, fruits contain more vitamin C than vegetables. Examples of foods that are high in vitamin C and the amount of vitamin C they contain include:

    • Red capsicum: 240mg per capsicum
    • Grapefruit: 94mg per grapefruit
    • Orange juice: 93mg per ¾ cup
    • Kiwifruit: 64-85mg per kiwifruit
    • Broccoli: 51mg per ½ cup cooked
    • Strawberries: 50mg per 10 strawberries
    • Orange: 46-70mg per orange
    • Sweet potato: 30mg per sweet potato
    • Tomato: 30mg per tomato
    • Cantaloupe: 29mg per ½ cup
    • Cauliflower: 26 per ½ cup
    • Silverbeet: 27mg per cup .

    In general, raw fruits and vegetables contain higher quantities of vitamin C than boiled, although steaming and microwaving may reduce vitamin C losses. Prolonged storage can also reduce vitamin C levels.

    Experts consider a diet that supplies 100200 mg/day of vitamin C provides enough vitamin C to cover a healthy individuals general requirements. People with medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, lung disease, or who smoke or exercise a lot should consider increasing their dietary intake of vitamin C.

    Consuming five varied servings of fruits and vegetables a day can provide more than 200mg of vitamin C. Breastmilk is considered an adequate source of vitamin C in breastfeeding infants. Infant formula is already fortified with vitamin C.

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    Helps Prevent Iron Deficiency

    Iron is an important nutrient that has a variety of functions in the body. Its essential for making red blood cells and transporting oxygen throughout the body.

    Vitamin C supplements can help improve the absorption of iron from the diet. Vitamin C assists in converting iron that is poorly absorbed, such as plant-based sources of iron, into a form that is easier to absorb .

    This is especially useful for people on a meat-free diet, as meat is a major source of iron.

    In fact, simply consuming 100 mg of vitamin C may improve iron absorption by 67% .

    As a result, vitamin C may help reduce the risk of anemia among people prone to iron deficiency.

    In one study, 65 children with mild iron deficiency anemia were given a vitamin C supplement. Researchers found that the supplement alone helped control their anemia .

    If you have low iron levels, consuming more vitamin-C-rich foods or taking a vitamin C supplement may help improve your blood iron levels.

    SUMMARY

    Vitamin C can improve the absorption of iron that is poorly absorbed, such as iron from meat-free sources. It may also reduce the risk of iron deficiency.

    Benefits Of Taking Vitamin C

    Which Vitamin C Should I Take?

    Adding more vitamin C to your daily routine may provide benefits for a variety of health conditions. Despite many research studies, exactly how beneficial vitamin C is for the body is not clear. The general understanding of these studies is that increasing your intake of vitamin C could help in these areas:

    • Cancer prevention: Eating foods that are high in vitamin C could help lower the risk of certain cancers, such as colon, lung and . However, it appears that vitamin C supplements are as effective as getting vitamin C from the food in your diet.

    • Eye health: Vitamin C supplements may keep age-related from getting worse and could also lower the risk of developing .

    • Cold and flu Support: Studies show that increasing vitamin C intake does not prevent you from catching a cold or getting the flu. However, maintaining high levels of vitamin C year round might shorten the length of the illness and make symptoms milder.

    • Cardiovascular health: The antioxidant benefits of a diet high in vitamin C may help reduce the oxidative damage that causes cardiovascular disease.

    If you are interested in taking vitamin C, the recommended daily amount is 75 milligrams for women and 90 mg for men. Many people take vitamin C through supplements. It is water soluble, so your kidneys eliminate any excess vitamin C in your urine. Be sure to take supplements with a full glass of water to help with absorption.

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    Before Taking This Medicine

    You should not use ascorbic acid if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a vitamin C supplement.

    Ask a doctor or pharmacist about using ascorbic acid if you have:

    • kidney disease or a history of kidney stones

    • hereditary iron overload disorder or

    • if you smoke .

    Your dose needs may be different during pregnancy or while you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not use ascorbic acid without your doctors advice in either case.

    Why Getting Vitamin C Through Your Diet Is Important

    Vitamin C is an important nutrient for your body since it:

    • Acts as an antioxidant
    • Supports your immune system

    In addition, vitamin C is thought to have beneficial effects on your overall health, including reducing your risk of cancer, heart disease and the most common causes of vision loss .

    While vitamin C is an important nutrient, your body doesn’t actually make it so it’s important to make sure you’re getting enough vitamin C from your diet.

    The amount you need depends on your age and gender, but, in general, adults should aim to get between 65 to 90 mg of vitamin C per day. You can get all the vitamin C you need by drinking a glass of orange juice or eating a cup of strawberries, bell pepper, broccoli, Brussels sprouts or kale. In addition, some of the herbs you commonly cook with also contain significant amounts of vitamin C, including thyme and parsley.

    Another reason to get the recommended amount of vitamin C through your diet, rather than a supplement, is that healthy, whole foods also contain other beneficial vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber.

    Most people following a healthy diet have no problem getting the recommended amount of vitamin C every day. However, if you think you aren’t, you can always consider taking a multivitamin as most contain the recommended amount of vitamin C you need every day.

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    Best Natural Ingredients For Your Skin

    Vitamin C serums can be topically applied to the skin and may provide benefits such as protection against damage caused by UV exposure, including collagen damage and wrinkling. And while its no replacement for sunscreen, a vitamin C serum routinely applied before sun exposure may help prevent premature aging of the skin. It may also help protect against pigmentation issues by interfering with melanin synthesis. Youll see many options of vitamin C serums including ones with additional ingredients, such as vitamin E or hyaluronic acid.

    Scientific Health Benefits Of Vitamin C

    WATCH: Should you take vitamin C?

    A diet loaded with vitamin Crich foods such as oranges, kiwi, and peppers helps more than just the immune system.

    Cameron Whitman/Stocksy

    Vitamin C is one of the most talked about vitamins. The nutrient gets special buzz for its immune-boosting potential. But touting vitamin C‘s ability to shorten the common cold only scratches the surface of its role in the body.

    This antioxidant isnt naturally made by the body, so its crucial to obtain it from vitamin Crich foods, according to the Mayo Clinic. Vitamin C can be found in a variety of foods, including red and green bell peppers, citrus fruits, kiwi, broccoli, tomatoes, and Brussels sprouts, says Tamar Samuels, RDN, a cofounder of Culina Health in New York City.

    Adult women need 75 milligrams of vitamin C per day, and adult men need 90 mg, according to the National Institutes of Health . Most Americans source enough of the nutrient through diet alone.

    Read on to learn about seven major health benefits of vitamin C.

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    How Much Vitamin C Can Your Body Absorb In A Day

    Oral vitamin C increases tissue and plasma concentrations, which the body closely regulates. At modest doses of 30180 mg/day, approximately 7090% of vitamin C is absorbed. However, at dosages more than 1 g/day, absorption drops to less than 50%, and unmetabolized ascorbic acid is eliminated in the urine.

    The amount of vitamin C that can be absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract is limited. The human body cannot store vitamin C so it must be consumed with our food or supplemented into our diet. Vitamin C is water-soluble so if you have diarrhea or lose fluid through vomiting or diarrhea, your body will not be able to use the vitamin C supplement you take. Also, since vitamin C is sensitive to heat and light, do not ingest it with foods or supplements that are high in acidity such as juices, tomatoes, and other fruits and vegetables.

    Studies show that people who consume large amounts of vitamin C daily may become sick from excess iron or calcium in their diets. Therefore, only moderate amounts of vitamin C should be taken daily to avoid harmful interactions with other nutrients.

    The recommended daily allowance for adults is 60 mg per day for those over 19 years old. Children between the ages of 1 and 8 years old require 45 mg per day while children younger than 1 year old should get 30 mg per day. Women of childbearing age should not take more than 90 mg per day if they are trying to conceive or are pregnant.

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