Vitamin C

What is Vitamin C?
-also called ascorbic acid

-water-soluble nutrient that is easily excreted from the body when not needed

-body does not manufacture vitamin c on its own, nor does it store it

How to Take It?
-vitamin c is not stored in the body, the best way is to take with meals or supplement

-some studies suggest that adults should take between 250mg and 500mg twice a day for maximum benefit

-it can also be increased to 1000mg / 1 gram of vitamin c on a daily basis

Function of Vitamin C
-serves a predominantly protective role in the body

-referred as the "antiscorbutic factor" since it helped prevent the disease called scurvy

-antioxidant & preventing oxygen-based damage to the cells

-lower cancer risk

-regenerate vitamin E supplies

-improve iron absorption

-iron deficiency can caused anemia

-production of collagen

-protect the fat-soluble vitamins as well as fatty acids from oxidation

-relieving eye pressure in those with glaucoma

-reducing effects of sun exposure, such as sunburn / redness (erythema) and even, skin cancer

-slow down the process of aging

Deficiency Symptoms
-cardiovascular diseases / heart attack




-joint diseases (like osteoarthritis)

-cataracts

-skin discoloration due to ruptured blood vessels

-poor wound healing

-weak immune function, including susceptibility to colds & other infections





-lung-related problems

-weight gain because of slowed metabolic rate & energy expenditure

-stroke (cell death in the brain)



Factors Might Contribute to a Deficiency of Vitamin C
-poor intake of vitamin c-rich fruits, vegetables, supplements

-smoking & exposure to second hand smoke

-body's immune & detoxification systems makes special use of vitamin c & overload in either these systems can increase risk of deficiency

-excessive toxic expose

Medications Affects Vitamin C
Drugs that can diminished the body's supply of vitamin c:-
-NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs including aspirin)

-corticosteroid (like cortison)

-sulfa drugs (often used as antibiotics / in cancer treatment)

-barbituates



Nutrient Interactions
-supplement intake of vitamin c can interfere with cooper metabolism

-enhances iron uptake

-excessive intake of vitamin A is less toxic to the body when vitamin c is readily available

-regeneration of vitamin E, these two vitamins appear to work together in their oxidation effect

Health Conditions that Require Special Emphasis on Vitamin C
-acne

-alcoholism

-Alzheimer's disease

-asthma


-autism

-depression

-diabetes

-irritable bowel disease

-joint disease

-cancer

-eye disease

-thyroid disease

-liver disease

-lung disease