Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is an antioxidant that is required for at least three hundred metabolic functions in the body,including tissue growth and repair, adrenal gland function, and healthy gums. It also assists with the production of antistress hormones and interferon (an important immune system protein).
It is needed for the metabolism of folic acid, tyrosine, and phenylalanine. Studies have also shown that taking this vitamin can reduce the symptoms associated with asthma. It helps protect against the harmful effects of pollution, helps to prevent cancer, protects against infection, and enhances the bodies immunity.
This vitamin also enhances the body's absorption of iron. It can also combine with toxic substances, such as some heavy metals, and render them harmless so that they can then be eliminated from the body.
This vitamin has also been shown to reduce the levels of bad cholesterol in the body, while raising the levels of good cholesterol, as well as lowering high blood pressure and helping to prevent arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
It is essential in the formation of collagen, and protects against abnormal blood clotting and bruising. It may reduce the risk of cataracts, and promotes the healing of wounds and burns. It may even improve your love life by causing the body to increase the amount of the hormone oxytocin which is released.
Vit C works with vit E and beta-carotene in such a way that when they work together, they have an even greater effect than when they each work alone. Also, taking them together may also help counter some of the possible negative effects of taking them alone. A 2003 study reported that people who took vit C and Vit E together long-term seem to have higher cognitive abilities as they age.
Vit E scavenges for dangerous free radicals in cell membranes, while vit C attacks free radicals in biologic fluids. As a result, these vitamins reinforce and extend each other's antioxidant activity.
Because the body cannot manufacture vit C, it must be obtained through the diet or by supplementation. It was once thought that most of the vit C which was consumed was lost in the urine, but more recently this idea is being challenged, because the original studies apparently failed to account for its half-life, or consistent decreasing rate of elimination from the blood.
Scurvy is a disease which is caused by a deficiency of vitamin C in the body. It is characterized by poor wound healing, soft and spongy bleeding gums, edema, extreme weakness, and pinpoint hemorrhages under the skin. Fortunately, this condition is rare in Western societies.
More common are lesser signs of deficiency, which include gums that bleed when brushed, increased susceptabiliy to infection, especially colds and bronchial infections, joint pains, lack of energy, poor digestion, prolonged wound healing time, a tendency to bruise easily, and tooth loss.
Vitamin C is found in berries, citrus fruits and green vegetables. Good sources include asparagus, avocados, beet greens, black currants, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cantaloupe, collards, dandelion greens, dulse, grapefruit, kale, lemons, mangos, mustard greens, onions, oranges, papayas, green peas, sweet peppers, persimmons, pineapple, radishes, rose hips, spinach, strawberries, Swiss chard, tomatoes, turnip greens, and watercress.
Orange juice is an excellent source of vitamin C, but only if it is fresh squeezed or has been processed by methods that don't involve heating or pasteurization. While freshly squeezed juice is best, frozen juices are often processed without heat, and can be good sources of vit C.
Herbs that contain vit C include alfalfa, burdock root, cayenne, chickweed, eyebright, fennel seed, fenugreek, hops, horsetail, kelp, peppermint, mullein, nettle, oat straw, paprika, parsley, pine needle, plantain, raspberry leaf, red clover, rose hips, skullcap, violet leaves, yarrow, and yellow dock.
If you require larger than normal amounts of vit C due to serious illness, such as cancer, it is more effective to take it intravenously, under the supervision of a physician, than it is to take high doses orally.
Alcohol, analgesics, antidepressants, anticoagulants, oral contraceptives, and steroids may reduce levels of vit C in the body. Smoking causes a serious depletion of vit C.
Diabetes medications such as chlorpropamide (Diabinese) and sulfa drugs may not be as effective if taken along with vit C. Taking high doses of vit C may also lead to a false negative reading in tests for blood in the stool.
For maximum effectiveness, vit C supplements should be taken in divided doses, twice daily. Esterified vit C (Ester-C) is a remarkably effective form of the vitamin, especially for those suffering from chronic illness such as cancer or AIDS. It is created by having the vit C react with a necessary mineral, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, or zinc.
This results in a form of the vitamin that is non acidic and that contains vit C metabolites identical to those produced by the body. Esterified vit C enters the bloodstream and the tissues four times faster than standard forms because it moves into the blood cells more efficiently, and also stays in the body tissues longer.
The levels of vit C in white blood cells achieved by taking Ester-C are four times higher than those achieved with standard vit C. In addition, only one-third as much is lost through excretion in the urine.
A variety of manufacturers produce supplements containing Ester-C, either by itself or in combination with other valuable nutrients, including the antioxidants Pycnogenol and proanthocyanidins, and the herbs echinacea and garlic.
If aspirin and standard vit C (ascorbic acid) are taken together in large doses, stomach irritation can result, possibly leading to ulcers. If you take aspirin regularly, take an esterified form of vit C, and take it separately from the aspirin.
If you are pregnant, do not take more than 5,000 mg of vit C daily. A developing infant may become dependent upon this supplement and develop scurvy when deprived of the accustomed megadose after birth.
If you have a bruise or sprained muscle, temporarily cut back on vit C to less than 90mg daily. Larger amounts may combine with iron produced by the injury to cause more damage.
Avoid using chewable vit C supplements, because these can damage tooth enamel.
This information is not intended to diagnose or treat any specific condition, nor is it intended to replace the advice of your healthcare professional.
Sources
Balch, Phyllis A., CNC. "Prescription for Nutritional Healing". Garden City, NY.: Avery Publishing Group, 2006
Ritchason, Jack, ND. "The Little Herb Encyclopedia". Pleasant Grove, UT.: Woodland Health Books, 1995
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