A Word About Using Vitamin C
As with all skincare products, its important you apply Vitamin C properly to feel the full effects. Start slowly and make sure you do a patch test before applying it to your entire face.
You can apply Vitamin C in the morning or at night however, its important to note that if youre heading out, then you need to make sure its fully absorbed into your skin, as it can become less effective when exposed to light.22
As for where it should fit with the rest of your skincare regime? Some people say Vitamin C serums should be applied to freshly-cleansed skin pre-moisturiser. However, moisturisers with antioxidant properties should be applied last.23
General word on the street is cleanse, tone, apply vitamin C serum, and then moisturise.24
Vitamin C For Fertility And Pregnancy
Vitamin C has long been touted for its ability to increase fertility. Researchers believe that ascorbic acid is important in many parts of the reproductive process. This is likely because it plays a vital role in hormone production, helps make collagen, and protects cells from free radicals.
Studies show that vitamin C impacts follicle integrity, and even helps to restore follicular reserves and aging ovaries in mice. Human studies also suggest a correlation between vitamin C levels and follicular fluid levels, making vitamin C an ideal supplement for anyone trying to increase the health of their eggs.
In another study, women who were struggling to get pregnant supplemented with 750mg of vitamin C to great effect. Their progesterone levels increased and within 6 months, 25% were pregnant.
Its More Than Just A Cold Fighter Learn How To Get More Vitamin C In Your Diet
This powerful antioxidant boosts your immune system. But thats not all it does.
What does vitamin C do?
Also called ascorbic acid, vitamin C is an essential nutrient. It helps form cartilage, blood vessels, muscles and collagen in your bones.
Unlike other vitamins that our bodies produce naturally, vitamin C levels need to be replenished each day. That means we need to get it through our diet.
So how much vitamin C do we need per day? Probably less than youd think. Males need 90 milligrams each day, says Dr. Kevin Ly, a family medicine doctor at Geisingers Elysburg clinic. And females need 75 milligrams daily.
If youre pregnant, you need 85 milligrams daily. And if you smoke, aim for an extra 30 milligrams each day.
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Vitamin D Benefits For Men And How Much Do I Need
There are many benefits of vitamin D for men. Recently, D has vitamins have been the subject of many clinical studies. Studies show that vitamin D is not just an essential ingredient of good health. This ingredient is important and plays a role in supporting healthy muscle growth, testosterone levels, and mental health. In this article, we provide information about vitamin D and share three amazing benefits of vitamin D for men.
You Can Use It Under Your Eyes
The skin thats underneath our eyes is the most delicate, which is why its important you gently apply products to this area, and not be too vigorous when applying them.20 As well as helping to combat brown spots and pigmentation, Vitamin C serums can reportedly also reduce the appearance of under-eye dark shadows.21
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May Protect Against Certain Cancers
People get really excited about potential cancer prevention that can be done at home and for good reason.
Researchers who support the idea that vitamin C can cause a lower risk of cancer say this is because of how the vitamin can act as an antioxidant, preventing cancer-causing cellular damage caused by free radicals.
But the research on vitamin C and cancer is still unclear. Though some studies indicate that vitamin C intake and lower cancer risk are linked, a meta-analysis of seven trials that included a total of 62,619 participants found no statistically significant link .
The idea seems mostly based on old research that found a therapeutic effect in advanced cancer patients treated with high-dose C compared to those untreated. Research that came out shortly after, however, showed no beneficial effect of ascorbic acid for cancer patients.
How Much Vitamin C Should I Take
For men more than 18 years old, the amount of vitamin C to be taken daily is 90 mg. For women over 18 years of age, it is 75 mg. And for pregnant and breastfeeding women more than 18 years old, it is 85 mg and 120 mg respectively. As per some experts, smokers must add an extra 35 mg to their regular intake.
For infants , it is the amount of vitamin C in human milk. For children 1 to 3 years old, it is 15 mg 4 to 8 years old is 25 mg 9 to 13 years old is 45 mg.
For adolescents , the recommended intake is 75 mg for boys and 60 mg for girls.
Though these are the RDA levels, your doctor might recommend a much higher dose for therapeutic purposes.
However good anything might be, one must exercise precautions. So is the case with vitamin C.
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You Can Match It To Your Skin Type
This is because its available in different concentrations, ranging from 5% strength to 30%.
As an indicator, if you have dry or sensitive skin, then you may want to use a lower concentration. Meanwhile, oiler skin tends to be able to tolerant more higher concentrations.14
Top tip: Serums are the most effective way of getting vitamin C as they are more concentrated.
Vitamin C In Ayurveda And Tcm
Vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables are used extensively in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Lemons, for example, are believed to have detoxifying and cleansing properties and are said to stimulate fluid excretions in the lungs, flush out bile and promote the elimination of toxins from the body.
Similarly, oranges are thought to clarify the blood and cleanse the digestive system. Theyre also used to reduce fatigue, increase strength and enhance immunity.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, citrus fruit peels are also common ingredients used to improve both digestive and respiratory health. Mandarin orange peels, in particular, are believed to help relieve abdominal distension, bloating and gas by supporting better digestive health.
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Very High Doses Of Vitamin C
You might think that taking high doses of vitamin C would mean you absorb more of it, but that isnt necessarily the case. The body carefully controls the amount of ascorbic acid circulating in your system throughout the day, excreting any excess once you meet your bodys needs. Ingesting extremely high doses of more than 1,000 mg will not equate to more bioavailable ascorbic acid in the body.
There are exceptions, however. At the direction of a doctor, smokers and those regularly exposed to secondhand smoke, people with a severely limited diet, and individuals with health conditions that inhibit absorption of vitamin C may need increased supplementation. In those cases, liposomal vitamin C may help.
It Can Help Minimise The Appearance Of Uv Damage
Vitamin Cs known to be able to reduce the appearance of UV damage caused by molecules called free radicals.
However, its important to note that it doesnt work in the same way as sunscreen so its important to always wear sunscreen. It doesnt absorb UV light, its antioxidant properties help to protect against UV-induced damage caused by free radicals instead.15
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Reduce Risk Of Chronic Diseases
As youve probably noticed, acting as an antioxidant in your body is one of vitamin Cs main talents. Cellular damage that leads to cancer and chronic diseases is caused by molecules like free radicals.
Allowed to accumulate in the body, these free radicals cause a condition called oxidative stress just a more complicated way of saying your antioxidants and free radicals are not balanced, so the damage being done is not counterbalanced or repaired.
Even things that are good for us cause oxidative stress, which is linked to the development of many chronic diseases, but antioxidants, such as vitamin C, can protect your body from that damage.
Its not just oxidative stress that vitamin C can counteract. Inflammation is also associated with many chronic diseases. Ascorbic acid has been shown to be effective at reducing inflammatory markers in humans, as well as combating inflammation caused by exercise .
These health benefits are only possible if your intake of vitamin C is adequate. Luckily, for those who struggle to get enough vitamin C, supplements have been proven to raise blood levels of this crucial nutrient significantly.
How Much Vitamin B12 Do Men Need
The recommended dietary allowance of vitamin B12 for men ages 14 years and older is 2.4 micrograms daily.
A typical vitamin B12 level in the bloodstream is between 190 and 950 . 200 to 300 pg./mL is considered borderline . Vitamin B12 below 200 pg./mL is low, and a level of less than 150 pg/per mL is diagnostic for deficiency.
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Symptoms Of Vitamin C Deficiency
In todays society, vitamin C deficiency is somewhat rare. Most people get enough from foods that are fortified with vitamins at the very least. However, some segments of the population are at greater risk for deficiency, like smokers, alcoholics and those with eating disorders. By some estimates, 13% of the population may actually struggle with lower levels of vitamin C. Vitamin C deficiency leads to a condition called scurvy. But I want to be clear, that optimal and deficient are two different things and the absence of scurvy doesnt mean your levels of vitamin C are sufficient for your needs.
Some of the signs that vitamin C deficiency may be an issue include:
The Health Benefits Of Vitamin C
No one vitamin can override serious health problems. They often work together â and other lifestyle habits â like getting enough sleep and exercise, and not smoking â are key. That said, research shows that vitamin C may offer health benefits in these areas:
1. Stress. A deficiency in vitamin C is associated with many stress related disease. It is the first nutrient to be depleted in alcoholics, smokers, and obese individuals. And because vitamin C is one of the nutrients sensitive to stress, Moyad says naintaining levels of vitamin C can be an ideal marker for overall health.
2. Colds. When it comes to the common cold, vitamin C is not a cure, but some studies show that it may help prevent more serious complications. “There is good evidence taking vitamin C for colds and flu can reduce the risk of developing further complications, such as pneumonia and lung infections,” says Moyad.
3. Stroke. Although research has been conflicting, one study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that those with the highest concentrations of vitamin C in their blood were associated with 42% lower stroke risk than those with the lowest concentrations. The reasons for this are not completely clear. But what is clear is that people who eat plenty of fruits and vegetables have higher blood levels of vitamin C.
- Lowering the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease.
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Relationship Between Erectile Dysfunction And Vitamin C
For an erection to form, blood needs to get redirected from various parts of the body to the blood vessels, eventually leading to the erectile tissues.
Vitamin C can indirectly assist this process. According to a review published in Fertility and Sterility, Vitamin C is one of the essential vitamins that commands the biochemical release of an agent known as nitric oxide.
Nitric oxide, or NO, is a chemical in our bodies thats responsible for relaxing the tissues , enabling .
Besides these findings, medical experts still believe that there isnt enough evidence to prove that taking more Vitamin C supplements is directly responsible for your ability to remain erect.
While nitric oxide gets released when more Vitamin C is introduced into our system, this process isnt exclusive to just Vitamin C. Dairy products, poultry, and fish can all contribute to the release of this chemical, thus improving penile function.
Regardless, adding more vitamin C to your diet is never a bad thing. Here are some Vitamin-C rich foods you can incorporate into your meal to treat a vitamin C deficiency:
Can Vitamin C Prevent Or Cure The Common Cold
Sadly, there just isnt a cure for the common cold. And as great as vitamin C is, it wont prevent you from catching it either.
In a Cochrane Review that looked at 29 studies with a total of 11,306 participants, it was concluded that at the dose of 200 mg or more of vitamin C, there was no reduction in the risk of contracting the common cold.
However, it was also found that regular supplementation with vitamin had a consistent effect in reducing the duration of common cold symptoms, which is based on 31 study comparisons with 9745 common cold episodes.
- In adults, supplementing with 200 mg/day was found to reduce the duration of colds by 8% and in children by 14%.
- In children, vitamin C at a dose of 1,000-2,000 mg/day shortened colds by 18% and also reduced the severity.
This review concluded that:
Nevertheless, given the consistent effect of vitamin C on the duration and severity of colds in the regular supplementation studies, and the low cost and safety, it may be worthwhile for common cold patients to test on an individual basis whether therapeutic vitamin C is beneficial for them.
In therapeutic trials at doses of 1-8 g/ day, there were no significant effects of beginning vitamin C supplementation once there was an onset of cold symptoms.
The takeaway here is that consistent daily supplementation has a more significant effect than taking vitamin C at the onset of cold symptoms. Keep reading because well be covering food sources and supplements for vitamin C.
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Helps Maintain Psychological Function
When your body is very deficient in vitamin C, you are at high risk for scurvy. Depression, personality changes, listlessness and general malaise are some of the symptoms of scurvy, making vitamin C vital for normal mental health.
Vitamin C also helps our body cells communicate with each other and contributes to the synthesis of some hormones .2 These hormones help to regulate your mood and ability to concentrate. They also work with other hormones to help the body respond to exercise and stress.3
Vitamin C For The Immune System
As youre likely aware, vitamin C is a critical component in keeping your immune system in tip-top shape. Many studies have shown its efficacy in cases of bacteria and viral infection, including lung inflammation caused by the flu and pneumonia.
Its thought that vitamin Cs immune supporting benefits come from its ability to help produce white blood cells the bodys defenders against infection.
And levels of the vitamin are low in patients who have severe infections like tuberculosis, further indicating a relationship between vitamin C levels and the immune system.
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Can Vitamin C Help Men Struggling With Erectile Dysfunction
With more and more individuals adopting a health-conscious lifestyle, demand for supplements and vitamins has increased across the world.
One such supplement that we have been hearing a lot about recently is vitamin C. You may have already caught on to the mainstream health benefits of this particular vitamin, such as its ability to promote better immune function.
But the question then lies, does Vitamin C help men struggling with erectile dysfunction ?
To cut it short, not quite. There hasnt been enough positive research that connects the use of Vitamin C to a reduced risk of ED.
Regardless, if you have a vitamin deficiency, its strongly recommended that you incorporate more of it into your daily diet. Its responsible for the growth of new cell tissue and better blood flowkey processes when attempting to achieve an erection.
While theres no hard evidence of an indisputable link between this food and ED, the benefits of taking vitamin C exceeds any risk.
Lets go over some of the facts about Vitamin C and erectile dysfunction.
Vitamin C Minimizes Sun Damage
One of the main culprits of the aging process is the sun. UV damage leads to loose skin, wrinkles, fine lines, and uneven skin tone. You already know that you should use sunscreen whenever youll be outside for 30 minutes or more. But your sun damage prevention shouldnt stop there.
Use a face serum for men with vitamin C for the best results. UV radiation causes oxidative stress to your skin and can produce damaging free radicals. Vitamin C counteracts this by neutralizing those free radicals. This minimizes sun damage.
In animal studies, topical application of vitamin C shows promise as a broad-spectrum photoprotectant. And another study showed that topical application of vitamin C before exposure significantly reduced the oxidative stress caused by UVA rays.
Dont stop using your sunscreen. But boost your defenses with vitamin C.
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Vitamin C As A Powerful Antioxidant
Antioxidants protect you from free radicals, which are unstable molecules that are linked to disease and aging. Vitamin C is one of the most potent antioxidants, and can help increase the levels of antioxidants in your blood.
This in turn, helps prevent many chronic diseases. Antioxidants have been shown to fight heart disease, cancer, alzheimers, and help delay the physical effects of aging. In short, theyre super important for your health, and getting as many of them in your diet or through high quality supplementation is a really good idea.
