What Us Vitamin C Good For

Vitamin C Is An Antioxidant That Can Prevent Cell Damage

” is an antioxidant, which limits the damaging effects of free radicals,” explains Amanda Izquierdo, MPH, RD, a Chicago-based registered dietitian.

Medical term: Free radicals are compounds produced both by normal cell processes and by external sources like pollution or cigarette smoke.

If your body accumulates too many free radicals, this can lead to something called oxidative stress, which is linked to aging and health conditions including:

• Rheumatoid arthritis, a type of autoimmune arthritis that causes joint swelling and pain
• Cancer
• Cardiovascular diseases like high blood pressure
• Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis

Antioxidants like vitamin C can help prevent the accumulation of free radicals. That said, the International Journal of Biomedical Science study concludes that “further research is needed” before experts can unequivocally recommend antioxidant supplements as preventative treatments for some of these conditions linked to free radicals.

Vitamin C Supports Your Immune System*

“Vitamin C plays a large role in supporting immune function,*” notes Joanna Foley, R.D., CLT, founder of a private holistic health coaching practice. On a cellular level, vitamin C helps immune cells do their complex jobs properly to neutralize pathogens, she says.* For example, it promotes multiplication of lymphocytesa type of white blood cellto combat foreign invaders in the body.* Vitamin C also helps neutrophils, another type of white blood cell, “eat” and destroy bad microbes.*

The antioxidative properties of vitamin C protect the immune system, too.* Acute oxidative stress is normal and useful for immune function, but prolonged oxidative stress is not normal, nor good for overall health. Getting enough vitamin C, along with other antioxidants, is key to maintaining a strong and resilient immune system.*

Olay Vitamin C + Peptide Brightening Eye Cream

Tired eyes? Brighten up, babe! We’ve got the solution to bring out a well-rested glow. Our Olay Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Eye Cream will give you the radiance you’ve been looking for with powerful ingredients like Vitamin C, Vitamin B3 and Peptides. Lightweight, pleasantly cool, silky and smooth to the touch, this fragrance-free formula enhances the glow beneath and around your eyes to give you visibly brighter and hydrated skin – whether you got your eight hours of Zzzs or not. To use, massage around your eye area morning and night after cleansing and you’ll get a boost of instant cooling hydration. 1 month in, the skin around your eyes will feel silky, look refreshed, and, yes, you’ll have that healthy, well-rested glow. This Vitamin C eye cream was created with your delicate under-eye skin in mind is made without fragrance, parabens, phthalates, synthetic dyes or mineral oil. It’s only the best for you, you brilliant thing. Our OLAY Skin Promise to you is zero skin retouching in all advertising. OLAY is the first mass skin care brand in the US to take this stance, because we know real beauty is honestly beautiful.

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What Are The Best Sources Of Vitamin C

vitamin C in your diet, you should eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Oranges, citrus fruits, and tomatoes are great sources of vitamin C. However, some foods may have less vitamin C than others. Bell peppers are a good source of vitamin-C. A single portion of a bell pepper can contain more than 100 mg of vitamin-C. Adding bell peppers to your diet is easy, and it can provide your daily requirement of vitamin C.

Citrus fruits are great sources of vitamin-C. However, you should avoid citrus juice as they tend to contain high amounts of sugar. A medium-sized kiwifruit contains around 64 milligrams of vitamin-C. Another good source of vitamin-C-rich foods is cruciferous vegetables. Just make sure that you cook these foods properly so that they retain the vitamin content. Once youve chosen the right vegetables, you can begin adding them to your diet.

Citrus fruits, fruit juices, and many vegetables contain high amounts of vitamin-C. Some ready-to-eat breakfast cereals are fortified with vitamin-C. While citrus fruits are great sources of vitamin C, you should also limit saturated fat and added sugar. You should also limit the amount of foods that contain more than your daily calorie needs. You should also avoid eating fast-food that has been overcooked.

Contents

• 4 What Diseases is Vitamin C Good For?

What Didnt Make The Cut And Why

While some of the below vitamin C serums may do the job, we found a few downfalls that rendered them not making the cut:

• LOréal Revitalift Derm Intensives Vitamin C Serum: Though a fan-favorite, this serum had impractical packaging and made my skin too oily.
• Murad Dark Circle Corrector: While the brands other vitamin C serum had a dreamy texture, this one stung a bit on my face.
• Tru Alchemy Glow Serum: This one was good and effective at brightening the skin, but it wasnt as bright as others we tested. However, we still recommend its formulation for just about any skin type.
• Youth to the People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum: While we recommend this formula because it includes caffeine which helps to eliminate dark spots it was a bit too clumpy on my skin.

Check out New York Post Shopping for more content. Some of these serums were sent by brands for consideration for our readers.

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Vitamin C Strengthens The Immune System

Perhaps vitamin Cs best-known benefit is the positive effect it has on the immune system. In a review published in November 2017 in Nutrients, vitamin C was found to support the immune system by protecting against oxidative stress, aiding in microbial killing, and decreasing the potential for tissue damage. A deficiency in this vitamin has been shown to increase the rate of infections. Its unlikely that loading up on vitamin C once you start sniffling will keep you from getting a cold, but it could help you recover more quickly, according to a prior review.

Vitamin C Risks And Side Effects

Vitamin C is good for your health, but, like many substances in our world, it can also cause some side effects. Some of the most common risks and side effects are:

• Upset stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting These are all signs of an allergic reaction or overdose of the vitamin. If these reactions happen often after taking vitamin C, consult with a doctor to rule out any r potential causes.

• Allergic rash A rash may form on the skin after using vitamin C if your immune system is oversensitive to it. Again, this is likely just an allergic reaction and should go away once you stop taking the vitamin.

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Use Your Vitamin C Products At The Right Point In Your Skin

The right moment to use your product depends on what kind of product it is, Dr. Hogan explains. For serums, you want to apply your vitamin C product to freshly cleansed skin, but before you moisturize. But antioxidant-containing moisturizers are also becoming more common, Dr. Lamb says, and youd want to use those at the end of your routine.

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.

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Confused About The Different Types Of Vitamin C

on 20th May 2020

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for many aspects of health including your immune system

Your body uses extra vitamin C during times of increased need such as illness or infection so unless extra care is taken to increase dietary intake during these times, daily supplies are likely to fall short. This is when supplemental vitamin C may be a useful addition to your diet.

Ascorbic acid is the form of vitamin C found naturally in food. It has good bioavailability but some people find it too acidic on their gut and cant tolerate higher doses.

Bioflavonoids are beneficial plant compounds often added to vitamin C supplements. They deliver extra immune benefits and may help to increase bioavailability.

Mineral ascorbates such as calcium and magnesium ascorbate are often called buffered vitamin C. Many people find these to be gentler forms of vitamin C that are better tolerated by the gut. It is important however to consider the accompanying dose of mineral when taking higher levels.

Time-release vitamin C is often the preferred choice since vitamin C has better bioavailability when taken in smaller doses throughout the day. A time-release formula aims to solve this problem without taking multiple tablets, by releasing the vitamin C slowly throughout the day.

Ester-C® is a patented form of buffered vitamin C that has been shown to be well absorbed and tolerated in the gut like other mineral ascorbates.

Why do we need extra vitamin C?

Learn More

Sea Moss And Human Health:

Sea moss has a stellar health profile. It affects multiple physiological processes in our body, but we will focus on its effects on bones, teeth, and immunity. For that, check out the following sections:

• Vitamin C and Bones:

We all know about the benefits of vitamin D for bones. But do you know vitamin C is also an essential nutrient for our bones? It maintains bone health and is a much-needed element for collagen production that affects the bone matrix. In addition, studies suggest that higher vitamin C levels lead to greater bone density. And guess what? Just 100 grams of sea moss contains 3.0 milligram of ascorbic acid, making it a considerable food for healthy bones.

• Vitamin C for Healthy Gums:

Similarly, vitamin C is also important for your oral health. It keeps several periodontal diseases at bay. On top of that, scientific evidence also supports that vitamin is a powerful substance that prevents bleeding from gums. So the addition of sea moss, which is rife with vitamin C, promotes healthy gums and teeth.

• Vitamin C and Immunity:

Ascorbic acid also plays a vital role in boosting your immunity. In addition, it helps repair worn-out cells and has a significant role in tissue growth and development. Moreover, Vitamin C is a crucial element for healing wounds and maintaining healthy skin.

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How Else Does Vitamin C Benefit The Skin

Amazingly, vitamin C’s skin-saving benefits aren’t limited to its antioxidant status. It has plenty of other skin-healing properties that make it worthy of a permanent place in your medicine cabinet. For one, when vitamin C is used topically, because it’s highly acidic, “the skin is triggered to heal itself by accelerating the production of collagen and elastin,” explains New York City-based dermatologist Howard Sobel, M.D. Remember: Collagen and elastin are both naturally occurring protein fibers that help keep skin plump and firm. So, in helping to promote collagen production, topical vitamin C can help prevent premature aging of the skin.

Another cool thing about the ingredient: It contains a property that inhibits your skin’s melanin production, which is what causes skin discoloration like dark spots and hyperpigmentation, Wexler explains. With continued topical use, vitamin C can help prevent dark spots from forming in the first place.

“It’s a superior brightening agent that works to fade brown spots without altering normal skin pigmentation,” Sobel adds.

What Are The Skin Benefits Of Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a well-known antioxidant in skincare, says Lian Mack, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City. In skin, this antioxidant has several functions including playing a role in the production of collagen, improving hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals. Here are the primary benefits of vitamin C when applied topically to the skin:

It protects skin cells from environmental damage

Vitamin C’s main function in skin is that of a powerful antioxidant, protecting from cellular damage caused by free radicals.Free radicals are the molecules produced by the body when exposed to radiation from the sun, tobacco, smoke, X-rays or other sources, Dr. Mack explains, and they are highly reactive. Vitamin C neutralizes these free radicals by donating electrons, preventing them from damaging skin.

Unlike sunscreens that absorb or reflect harmful UV rays from the sun to prevent sunburn, topical vitamin C offers protection through its role as an antioxidant. Since it doesnt have the same mechanism of action as a sunscreen, vitamin C is not a sunscreen and should never replace your SPF. Rather, they complement each other and can be combined for optimal effects.

It brightens skin and reduces hyperpigmentation

The ingredient is also one of the gold standards for evening skin tone and boosting radiance. Vitamin C is a well-known skin brightener, impeding melanin production and ultimately fading dark spots, resulting in a more even complexion, Dr. Mack explains.

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Are Vitamin C Supplements Safe

For the most part, vitamin C supplements are safe. Although fruits and vegetables are the best source for proper vitamin C intake, supplements are considered safe in recommended amounts for people who do not get enough from food or have increased vitamin C needs, says Childress.

Before taking a supplement, try boosting your vitamin C intake through food instead, notes Dr. Shafipour. Add foods like berries, citrus, spinach or broccoli to your daily diet. If a supplement is preferable to you, check with your doctor on what they may recommend for you and to verify it will not interfere with any current medications you are taking, he says.

This is especially important for anyone taking medication, as Childress notes that vitamin C supplementation may increase the absorption of aluminum, which she says can be harmful for people taking medications that contain aluminum and can lead to kidney damage.

Its important to remember is that taking too much vitamin C can have negative health consequences. Taking too much vitamin C can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, heartburn, stomach cramps and bloating, fatigue or insomnia, headaches and skin flushing, says Childress.

Vitamin C And Cancer Therapy

Vitamin C may help treat cancer, though experts have not confirmed this.

As an antioxidant, vitamin C protects the body from oxidative stress, which can occur when ROS levels are high. Oxidative stress can lead to cell damage and may play a role in some cancers.

A found that taking high doses of vitamin C may slow the growth of some types of cancerous tissue. The paper suggests that vitamin C could, one day, become a new treatment for colorectal cancer.

Also, the authors of a suggest that vitamin C might work well alongside other treatments to benefit people with cancer.

The note that some alternative therapists already use intravenous vitamin C when treating cancer, fatigue, and infections. However, they note that more research is necessary.

Intravenous vitamin C

2,000 mg per day .

Taking too much vitamin C is unlikely to cause any significant problems, but if a person consumes more than 1,000 mg of vitamin C per day, they will not absorb it all. This may lead to diarrhea and gastrointestinal discomfort.

People are unlikely to consume too much through their diet, and their bodies cannot store it. However, having a high intake through supplements may result in kidney stones.

This may also increase the risk of cardiovascular problems in females after menopause, but there is not enough evidence to confirm this.

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Benefits Of Vitamin C

There are many benefits of vitamin C including:

• Its a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin C plays a key role in protecting the body against free radicals that can cause disease. Without the antioxidant properties of vitamin C, we are at greater risk for diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease and lung disease, says Dr. Shafipour.
• It assists with organ growth, development and maintenance. Vitamin C supports our bones, cartilage, skin and blood vessels, notes Dr. Shafipur.
• Vitamin C supports collagen production. Collagen is an essential component of connective tissue and therefore plays a significant role in wound healing, says Childress. Additionally, research shows that because vitamin C supports collagen production, it can make skin healthier as wellGref R, et al. Vitamin c-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin. Scientific Reports. 2020 10:16883. .
• It boosts immune function. Vitamin C can help make the immune system more effective at fighting off illnesses and infection. It prevents immune system deficiencies by supporting cell functions in the innate and adaptive immune system and protecting protein, lipid, carbohydrate molecules and nucleic acids from damage, says Childress.
• It helps absorb iron. We need iron to be healthy, and vitamin C may help our bodies absorb it. Iron helps transport oxygen through our circulatory system, and also helps with hormone production and muscle strength, says Dr. Shafipour.

Who Is At Risk Of Vitamin C Deficiency

Vitamin C deficiency is rare, but people at a higher risk include those who:

• find it difficult to maintain a healthy diet of fresh fruit and vegetables
• smoke heavily or are dependent on alcohol or drugs
• have a health condition that makes it difficult to digest food, such as coeliac disease, ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease

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