BENEFIT OF VITAMIN C FOOD SOURCES; VITAMIN C
DEFICIENCY & OVERDOSE SIDE EFFECTS
The most common benefit of vitamin C is that it helps
to fight off colds and flu, vitamin C deficiency usually
making one more vulnerable to such illnesses. Vitamin C side
effects actually inhibit the formation of histamine and
thus help to reduce the length and severity of cold
symptoms.
Also, because of its role in proper immune system function,
vitamin C benefits include improving resistance to all
viral infections and diseases.
Another benefit of vitamin C is the relationship
between vitamin C and cancer in its action as a powerful
anticarcinogen antioxidant, regarded by some as the most
powerful anticarcinogenic nutrient. It prevents the formation
of the carcinogen, nitrosamine, which is derived from tobacco
and smoked or cured meats.
Further suggested vitamin C benefits include aiding
the prevention of degenerative diseases like cancer (as
mentioned above), heart disease, and with certain carotenoids
can protect against cataracts and slow their growth, as well as
decreasing the risk of glaucoma.
Other benefits of vitamin C side effects include
inhibiting fats in the blood from forming atherosclerotic
plaque and subsequent hardening of the arteries. Vitamin C
supplements can stop the oxidation of lipoproteins and
raises "good" HDL cholesterol, which prevents the build up of
"bad" LDL cholesterol in the arteries.
When losing weight, vitamin C benefits by helping to rid the
body of toxic free radicals released when fat is metabolized.
Additional beneficial vitamin C side effects include
helping maintain healthy gums, and the healing of burns and
wounds.
Vitamin C Deficiency
Factors that may increase vitamin C deficiency
include alcohol consumption, smoking, infections, strenuous
exercise, aspirin, antidepressants, analgesics, steroids, and
eating too much over cooked or processed food.
Vitamin C deficiency, although rare, can lead to a
condition called scurvy (traditionally related to vitamin C
deficiency), the signs of which are bleeding gums and tooth
loss, poor wound healing, joint pain, fatigue, poor digestion,
bronchial infection and colds, bruising, and edema. Scurvy can
be effectively remedied by intake of vitamin C food high in
vitamin C source.
Benefit of Vitamin C Facts
Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble
vitamin, not able to be stored by the body, needing to be
regularly replenished through the diet to avoid depletion and
deficiency symptoms. Vitamin C is probably the most discussed
and controversial of the vitamins.
Vitamin C is vital for proper immune system function. It is
quickly depleted by the body's reaction to infection and
inflammation. It is central to the formation of collagen, the
protein used to produce connective tissue, bone, cartilage, and
scar tissue.
Vitamin C side effects enable healthy cell development,
tissue growth and repair, enhances the bioavailability of iron
and helps calcium absorption, fortifies capillary walls helping
to prevent bruising and blood clotting.
It helps to support the adrenal glands which contain more
vitamin C than any other part of the body. It is important for
the formation of neurotransmitters, carnitine, steriod
hormones, and converting cholesterol to bile.
Vitamin C Overdose and Toxicity
Recommended daily allowance (minimum daily dosage to ward
off serious vitamin C deficiency) RDA vitamin C dosage
is 60 mg, although 500 mg is the vitamin C doseage most
commonly used in vitamin c supplements.
Vitamin C supplements should be taken as a complex including
bioflavoniods like quercetin, rutin, and hesperidin.
Bioflavonoids are vital for the absorption of vitamin C,
enhancing and prolonging its activity.
Even a very high vitamin C overdose of over 10,000 mg
for extended periods of time are usually well tolerated.
Extreme vitamin C overdose can cause gastrointestinal
discomfort; some people may experience this at 1,000 mg while
others can easily cope with up to 25,000 mg per day. There is
no established level of vitamin c toxicity at
present.
Vitamin C Food Sources
Here are examples of where to find animal vitamin C
foods and good plant vitamin C sources:
Animal vitamin C foods : Liver, beef, pork, and
shellfish deliver vit C to the diet, but are fairly poor
vitamin C foods.
Plant vitamin C sources : Green leafy vegetables,
citrus fruits, berries, tomatoes, avocados, broccoli, sweet
potatoes, sweet green or red peppers, green beans,
asparagus, cauliflower.
More Pages On This Site About Vitamin C
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