VITAMIN C

A water soluble vitamin also known as L-ascorbic Acid. Vitamin C is found in foods such as fruits and vegetables. The best sources of vitamin C include Brussels sprouts, Broccoli tops, Parsley, Blackcurrants, Green peppers and Orange juice to name just a few.

Being that it is water-soluble, Vitamin C is absorbed via the mucous membranes in the mouth, the stomach and upper part of the small intestine.

Vitamin C is commonly known as a stress vitamin. It is stored in the adrenal glands as the vitamin that is important for the formation of adrenaline. During periods of stress, and in “Fight or Flight” situations, adrenal ascorbic acid is quite rapidly consumed.

Most vitamin C intake is excreted by the body 3 to 4 hours after initially ingested. Blood levels of vitamin C or ascorbic acid reach their peak 2-3 hours after ingestion and are then eliminated via urination and perspiration.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is necessary for tissue repair and growth, adrenal gland function, healthy teeth, gums and bones. It helps maintain collagen, a protein involved in the formation of connective tissue.

Because it assists in the formation of connective tissue, vitamin C aids in healing wounds and burns. It also assists the formation of red blood cells which can help prevent haemorrhaging.
As an antioxidant, it protects the brain and spinal cord against damage caused by free radicals. It also is useful in guarding against bacterial infections and fending off the common cold. It protects against the damaging effects of pollution, helps prevent cancer, cardiovascular disease and enhances immunity.

Vitamin C promotes iron absorption from food and is known to make Folic Acid active in the body

The Recommended Daily Allowance for Vitamin C is 62.5mg and this is equal to a 250ml glass of Orange juice.

Vitamin C is relatively non-toxic as it is excreted in the urine. Large doses of vitamin C (multi- grams) may result in diarrhoea and aggravate kidney stones in people who are prone to kidney stone formation.

Scurvy is the classic deficiency disease related to Vitamin C. Other common signs of deficiency include: swollen, bleeding gums; susceptibility to infection such as colds and flu; joint pain; lack of energy; poor digestion; extended healing time and a tendency to bruise easily.

Researchers at the International Agency for Research on Cancer in France found, after assessing the dietary intake of 301 men and women with stomach tumours, that high intakes of vitamin C, as with other antioxidants and nutrients, was associated with a decreased risk of gastric cancer. In a separate study, vitamin C was found to offer a protective effect against H. pylori related gastric cancer.

Studies show that vitamin C may prevent homocysteine from damaging large blood vessels. Homocysteine is an amino acid that plays a role in blood clots and hardening of the arteries, conditions which can lead to heart attack or stroke. A study conducted in Finland found that men lacking adequate levels of vitamin had nearly a 2.5 to 3.5 times higher risk of suffering a heart attack than men who had sufficient levels of vitamin C.