As far as the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey is concerned, around 50% of Americans don’t take enough Vitamin C and that’s a big issue. It leads to a variety of health issues among otherwise healthy people, including colds, loss of eyesight and even potential heart issues.
Ascorbic acid is another name for Vitamin C, and it’s a vital component when it comes to the growth and healthy development of tissue in the body. Vitamin C also works to repair broken tissue and has a host of other applications and uses. Vitamin C helps to absorb iron, to form collagen and to boost the immune system, as well as maintaining healthy bones and teeth. Vitamin C is also water-soluble, meaning it doesn’t get stored in the body, hence the need to take supplements (which come in a variety of different delivery methods.) We’re taking a look at the reasons why you make sure you’re taking Vitamin C regularly and in the right doses.
Keeps You Young
Getting old is a part of life as much as anything else. There’s little a person can do to slow down the aging process, although taking Vitamin C in the right dose can significantly help. Antioxidant properties in Vitamin C constantly work to keep oxidative stress in the body to a minimum and to keep cells healthy. Research has also shown that Vitamin C helps to retain a full head of hair and to keep it looking vibrant and healthy. It’s thought that one of the factors that contribute to hair loss is oxidative stress, which can damage cell structures, making hair look tired and old.
Fights Colds
We’re kicking off with the most popular reason why people supplement with Vitamin C; to stave off the common cold. It’s a well-established fact that Vitamin C helps to reduce the annoying symptoms of colds and to reduce how long they last and their intensity. Taking extra Vitamin C when you have a cold or are feeling under the weather isn’t just an old wives’ tale, it’s based on scientific reality. If a Vitamin C supplement isn’t handy, simply drink as much freshly squeezed orange juice as possible as it’s packed with the vitamins needed to get well.
Boosts Immune System
The fact is that Vitamin C boosts the immune system, and that means it helps treat a range of issues. As well as having fantastic antioxidant properties, among other things, Vitamin C boosts white blood cells and helps to kill bacteria. In its battle against free radicals, Vitamin C literally saves lives if it’s taken regularly and adequately. When it comes to staying in optimal health, Vitamin C is a must and something that’s unfortunately overlooked by many people.
Keeps Hearts Healthy
When it comes to keeping the heart healthy, free radicals in the system are something to be avoided as much as possible. Numerous studies have shown that Vitamin C can assist the heart much in the same way as regular cardio exercise does. The body doesn’t produce Vitamin C by itself and needs to be taken from an external source. Fruits, vegetables and especially green leaves like spinach and kale contain high amounts of Vitamin C and can be eaten instead of supplements sold at the drugstore. Daily, you should be aiming to take around 75-90 mg of good quality Vitamin C to keep the heart healthy.
Good For Eyes
Another famous benefit of taking Vitamin C is that it’s known to help with eye health, especially for the elderly. Some scientific studies allege that Vitamin C lowers the chance of developing cataracts, mainly due to a depletion of Vitamin C in the eyes. The vitamin is also in conjunction with other nutrients to slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of blindness in the West. Vitamin C also promotes the absorption of iron and supports blood vessels in the eye.
