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Why Is Vitamin C Needed

Humans Need Enough Vitamin C From Supplements

WHY YOU NEED VITAMIN C !

Now that you understand what is vitamin C and why most people do not have the ability to produce vitamin C… you must get enough from vitamin C food sources and supplements.

You need enough vitamin C to prevent a vitamin C deficiency that can lead to other diseases. This includes allergies, infections, heart disease, and cancer.

Remember, animals make more vitamin C when sick or under stress.

This is also the reason why many vitamin C experts call vitamin C the missing stress hormone in humans.

After 40 years of research, Irwin Stone concluded that a genetic mutation is the reason why we cant produce ascorbic acid in our bodies, as most other animals do.

Benefits Of Vitamin C

L-ascorbic acid, or pure vitamin C, is a powerful antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals. Triggered by various environmental factors such as pollution, smoke and UV rays, free radicals can break down your skins collagen and cause visible signs of aging to form this can include wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, dry patches and more. In fact, vitamin C is the only antioxidant proven to stimulate the synthesis of collagen and minimize fine lines and wrinkles, according to the Cleveland Clinic. It also helps address hyperpigmentation and dark spots, and with continued application results in a brighter complexion.

Does Ascorbic Acid Acts As Antioxidant Or Pro

Vitamin C is an important dietary antioxidant, it significantly decreases the adverse effect of reactive species such as reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that can cause oxidative damage to macromolecules such as lipids, DNA and proteins which are implicated in chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and cataractogenesis .

As shown in Table , ascorbic acid is a potent water soluble antioxidant capable of scavenging/ neutralizing an array of reactive oxygen species viz., hydroxyl, alkoxyl, peroxyl, superoxide anion, hydroperoxyl radicals and reactive nitrogen radicals such as nitrogen dioxide, nitroxide, peroxynitrite at very low concentrations . In addition ascorbic acid can regenerate other antioxidants such as -tocopheroxyl, urate and -carotene radical cation from their radical species . Thus, ascorbic acid acts as co-antioxidant for -tocopherol by converting -tocopheroxyl radical to -tocopherol and helps to prevent the -tocopheroxyl radical mediated peroxidation reactions .

AH- + Fe 3+ – – – A- + Fe 2+ + H+

AH- + Cu 2+ – – – A- + Cu+ + H +

H2O2 + Fe 2+ – – – HO + Fe 3+ + -OH

H2O2 + Cu + – – – HO + Cu 2+ + -OH

LOOH + Fe 2+ – – – LO + Fe 3+ + -OH

LOOH + Cu + – – – LO + Cu+ + -OH

HO, LO – – – Lipid peroxidation

Adapted from Carr and Frei

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Why Is Vitamin C A Vitamin

The name “vitamin C” came long before scientists understood the ascorbic acid substance… it’s properties and importance to all body functions.

To understand why this happened we need to understand the story of scurvy disease. The story of ascorbic acid is the story of scurvy and vitamins.

The health benefits of vitamin C have been grossly underestimated.

  • Thousands of scientific studies prove that vitamin C can heal the body… from many chronic diseases
  • Many doctors have helped their patients recover from chronic disease using ascorbic acid
  • Animal studies also have proved that ascorbate can heal and protect from disease

After learning what is vitamin C, do you think larger amounts of vitamin C can help you fight chronic disease… and stay healthy?

You too can help your body heal from chronic disease using vitamin C…but only if you give your body enough ammunition to do that. This ammunition is the right amount of vitamin C based on your own specific needs.

Here’s our list of our family best vitamin C tips and FAQs for you.

What do you think? Let us know your comments in the section below.

Is Vitamin C More Than A Vitamin

Why is Vitamin C So Important? The Backstory of Americas ...

So what is vitamin C? The evidence seems to show that vitamin C is much more than a simple vitamin.

  • It doesn’t act in the same way as a typical micro-nutrient or vitamin
  • It has a limited life within the body
  • The body reserves are small and quickly depleted
  • The body requires more when under stress
  • Most other animals, except people, produce it in their bodies
  • Dose and frequency are critical to get full benefits
  • It is constantly required by the body in amounts much larger than trace amounts.

American Biochemist Irwin Stone called vitamin C the missing stress hormone in humans…

By definition… hormones are chemical messengers that travel throughout the body coordinating complex processes.

This seems to me a more accurate description of the role of ascorbic acid or “vitamin C” in the body.

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How Much Vitamin C Should You Take

When it comes to vitamin C, many people think more is better. The recommended daily amount is about 65-90mg per day, and the upper limit is 2,000mg per day. Most supplements on the market provide much more than 90mg, and if you’re eating foods with vitamin C and supplementing, you’re meeting your 90mg requirement and then some.

If you’re taking more vitamin C than is recommended, it’s unlikely to hurt you since the vitamin is not stored in the body. “For some, consuming too much vitamin C can cause stomach upset, like diarrhea, nausea or cramps,” Randazzo says. In fact, if you are sick, your body needs much more vitamin C and your needs can increase due to inflammation and other factors. This is why it’s important to talk to a health professional like a doctor or nutritionist to help you determine how much vitamin C you need to prevent or treat illness.

Should You Take Vitamin C Supplements

If youre looking to boost your daily vitamin C intake well beyond the RDA, you can either eat a very large amount of vitamin C-rich foods like oranges, guavas, and red bell peppers, or you may want to consider supplementation. And while getting nutrients from food is almost always best, there are some compelling studies to back up the notion that for some people, vitamin C supplementation could be helpful.

Vitamin C supplementation has been found to reduce severity and shorten recovery time from illnesses, including viral infections like cold and flu. It can support your bodys natural defenses and fight inflammation. And there is some evidence from animal research and case studies in humans that high dose, or IV vitamin C, can reduce lung inflammation in severe respiratory illnesses caused by H1N1 or other similar viruses.

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Animals Produce Enough Vitamin C As Needed

Most other animals and plants make vitamin C inside the body. They have an automatic mechanism to convert glucose, a type of sugar, into vitamin C.

Now, glucose exists in all living organisms and is a primary source of energy.

But how is vitamin C made from glucose in other animals… and why is it that we can’t do the same?

The process to convert glucose into ascorbic acid involves an enzyme or a catalyst. This enzyme triggers the conversion of glucose into ascorbic acid.

Most animals and plants have this enzyme, but most people don’t have it. This is the reason why you can’t make vitamin C in the body.

But there’s one other interesting thing. When animals that produce vitamin C get sick or are under any type of stress, they make more vitamin C.

The ability to make vitamin C as needed is an automatic protection mechanism. It helps these animals prevent and fight disease.

What Is Vitamin C

Why You Need Vitamin C: The Ultimate Cure-All Nutrient | Dr. Robert Selig – Back To Natural Health

Vitamin C is the most powerful antioxidant and enabler of electricity flow in the body. Vitamin C is separated from vitamin c food sources into a white crystalline powder.

Dehydration requires water. Poor electron flow within the body requires vitamin C.

Yes, our bodies have a physiological form of electricity, or energy.

This flow of electricity happens when the cells in our bodies exchange electrons… and this form of energy affects all your body functions.

This means that vitamin C is critical to maintaining good health. Without ascorbic acid, life cant exist.

So when asking what is vitamin C… it’s important to understand that vitamin C is a critical part of life and evolution.

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When Should I Pay Extra Attention To My Vitamin C Intake

Vitamin C deficiency is not a risk for the general population since most people can get the recommended amounts of this vitamin from a varied and balanced diet.

Despite vitamin C being popularly linked with preventing or treating the common cold, healthy and well-nourished people dont seem to get any health benefits from having larger amounts of this vitamin from foods or supplements. The best way to keep the normal function of our immune system is to consistently meet the recommended amounts for all vitamins and minerals.

What Is Vitamin C Used For

Vitamin C has been used to treat and prevent many conditions, including:

  • Asthma, a chronic lung disease
  • Bronchitis, an inflammation of the air passages in the lungs
  • Cancer
  • Fatigue
  • Rash

Vitamin C deficiency is treated with vitamin C supplements. Some symptoms improve within the first 24 hours of treatment. Others may take a few weeks to go away.

In severe cases, the bones may be affected. When this happens, surgery may be needed.

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Best Vitamin C Supplement

One way to get very high doses of vitamin C is through intravenous, or IV, therapy. However, this can be very costly and isnt nearly as convenient or accessible as oral vitamin C.

On the other hand, conventional oral vitamin C supplements, often in the form of vitamin C capsules, lozenges, or gummies, can have some drawbacks. For instance, they might contain highly processed ingredients, artificial fillers, and natural flavorings. Some also contain added sugars. And as well, vitamin C is often derived from corn, which is one of the most common GMO-foods in the United States.

Additionally, digestive issues can accompany large amounts of vitamin C via supplements. Ascorbic acid the supplemental form of vitamin C has a very low pH, meaning that its highly acidic. When a supplement doesnt adequately buffer the ascorbic acid, it can lead to cramping, diarrhea, and other stomach-related issues in some people.

Liposomal Vitamin C

Liposomal vitamin C is another option to consider. This form is encapsulated in liposomes or double-layered, protective fat bubbles that deliver nutrients to cells in your body. Research shows that liposomal vitamin C is more effective and bioavailable than conventional oral vitamin C supplements.

Ascorbic Acid And Wound Healing

Why You Need Vitamin C in Your Skincare Routine

Ascorbic acid plays a critical role in wound repair and healing/regeneration process as it stimulates collagen synthesis. Adequate supplies of ascorbic acid are necessary for normal healing process especially for post-operative patients. It has been suggested that there will be rapid utilization of ascorbic acid for the synthesis of collagen at the site of wound/ burns during post-operative period . Hence, administration of 500 mg to 1.0 g/day of ascorbic acid are recommended to accelerate the healing process .

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Do I Need Vitamin C Supplements

Lots of people take vitamin supplements, but there is no good evidence that they help unless you have a deficiency. Australias best guide to how to eat healthily the Australian Dietary Guidelines doesnt recommend them. There is no good evidence vitamin C supplements help prevent or treat colds.

Vitamin supplements are expensive. They are best taken only on a doctors advice.

Most people get the vitamins they need from a healthy diet, which has a wide variety of foods, including:

  • plenty of vegetables, of different types and colours, and legumes/beans
  • fruit
  • grain foods, mostly wholegrain, and/or high cereal fibre varieties such as breads, cereals, rice, pasta, noodles, polenta, couscous, oats, quinoa and barley
  • lean meats and poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts and seeds, and legumes/beans
  • milk, yoghurt, cheese and/or their alternatives, mostly reduced fat

Other Health Benefits Of Vitamin C

Reduces the risk of cancer

Vitamin C may help in preventing and delaying the development of cancerous cells by limiting the damaging effect of free radicals through its antioxidant activity.

Helps in better iron absorption

Vitamin C supplements have been seen to improve the absorption of iron from the diet. It assists in converting iron that is poorly absorbed, especially plant-based irons into a form that is easier to absorb. Factually speaking, 100 mg of Vitamin C can improve iron absorption by 67%.

May reduce blood uric acid levels

Uric acid is a waste produced by the body. Gout is the name of the disease caused by it which involves inflammation of joints. This happens when there is too much accumulation of uric acid in the blood. Several studies have shown a strong link between Vitamin C intake and reduced uric acid levels. However, further studies are still going on.

Protects memory and aids thinking

Oxidative stress near the brain, spine and nerves has been shown to increase the risk of dementia . Antioxidant properties of Vitamin C have proven to improve the ability to think and remember even at low levels. Furthermore, high intake of Vitamin C either in dietary form or supplements has been shown to have a protective effect on thinking and memory.

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May Reduce Your Risk Of Chronic Disease

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can strengthen your bodys natural defenses .

Antioxidants are molecules that boost the immune system. They do so by protecting cells from harmful molecules called free radicals.

When free radicals accumulate, they can promote a state known as oxidative stress, which has been linked to many chronic diseases .

Studies show that consuming more vitamin C can increase your blood antioxidant levels by up to 30%. This helps the bodys natural defenses fight inflammation .

SUMMARY

Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant that can boost your blood antioxidant levels. This may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease.

Approximately one-third of American adults have high blood pressure .

High blood pressure puts you at risk of heart disease, the leading cause of death globally .

Studies have shown that vitamin C may help lower blood pressure in both those with and without high blood pressure.

An animal study found that taking a vitamin C supplement helped relax the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart, which helped reduce blood pressure levels .

Moreover, an analysis of 29 human studies found that taking a vitamin C supplement reduced systolic blood pressure by 3.8 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 1.5 mmHg, on average, in healthy adults.

In adults with high blood pressure, vitamin C supplements reduced systolic blood pressure by 4.9 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 1.7 mmHg, on average .

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What Does The Department Of Health And Social Care Advise

Vitamin C: Why You Need It By Skin Concern | Sephora

You should be able to get all the vitamin C you need by eating a varied and balanced diet.

If you take vitamin C supplements, do not take too much as this could be harmful.

Taking less than 1,000mg of vitamin C supplements a day is unlikely to cause any harm.

Page last reviewed: 03 August 2020 Next review due: 03 August 2023

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Is Ascorbic Acid Harmful To Cancer Patients

Agus et al have reported that the tumor cells contain large amounts of ascorbic acid, although the role of ascorbic acid in tumors is not yet known. They have established that vitamin C enters through the facilitative glucose transporters in the form of dehydroascorbic acid, which is then reduced intracellularly and retained as ascorbic acid. It is speculated that high levels of ascorbic acid in cancer cells may interfere with chemotherapy or radiation therapy since these therapies induce cell death by oxidative mechanism. Thus, ascorbic acid supplementation might make cancer treatment less effective because, ascorbic acid being a strong antioxidant may scavenge or neutralize the oxidative stress induced by chemotherapy in cancer patients. However, more studies are needed to understand the role of ascorbic acid in tumors cells and the speculative contraindication of ascorbic acid for cancer chemotherapy.

Some Of The Major Ones Are

There are various natural sources of vitamin c through which you can gain a good amount of vitamin c. Foods which are rich in this vital nutrient are citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, Indian gooseberry, other sources like peppers, Brussels sprouts, strawberries, potatoes, guava, blackcurrants, thyme, parsley, mustard spinach, kale, kiwi, lychees, tomatoes, winter squash, cabbage, spinach, turnip green and papaya.

In the case of severe forms of vitamin c deficiency, only food sources are not enough to combat the ailment and some supplement is also required. There are various vitamin c supplements present in the market but not all of them are right to be used and can result in various health ailments if the wrong one is taken. Hence you must choose the correct vitamin C supplement.

There is an amazing vitamin c supplement offered by Planet Ayurveda- a renowned herbal pharmaceutical company.All the products produced here are purely organic, herbal and vegetarian which ensures its safety and effectiveness. Several quality check procedures are carried out to check each and every ingredients authenticity. Planet Ayurveda offers Amalaki rasayana to combat Vitamin C deficiency.

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