Vitamin C is such a common well-known essential vitamin that it is probably the first few vitamins that you learned about growing up. It is also one of the key essential vitamins required by the FDA to be listed on all packaged food items’ nutritional panels for good reasons.
Vitamin C plays a key role in many of your bodily functions such as the all-important production of collagen, L-carnitine and even some neurotransmitters. Collagen is the key component in the connective tissues in your tendons, ligaments, skin, cornea, cartilage, bones, blood vessels and your gut. Vitamin C also helps your body metabolize proteins. It is a powerful antioxidant and has also been linked to the reduction in risks of certain types of cancers.
Vitamin C, as critical as it is to your overall health, is not something that your body can produce. It is also a water-soluble vitamin that your body cannot keep stores of. Therefore, the daily replenishment of this essential vitamin is very important.
The good news is, there are many fruits and vegetables that are great sources of Vitamin C. And these fruits and vegetables are very affordable and widely available year-round. For a list of Vitamin C rich foods, check out my other article 20 Best Vitamin C-rich Foods.
If however, you still find yourself not taking in enough Vitamin C from your diet, there are also natural supplements that you can add to your daily diet.
So why do you need to ensure that your body has enough Vitamin C all the time? Here are 10 very good reasons.
1. Boost your immunity
This is probably the most important reason why you need to ensure adequate amounts of Vitamin C intake every day. Vitamin C is involved in many different aspects of your immune function. One of the key things it helps with is your body’s production of white blood cells also known as lymphocytes and phagocytes. Your white blood cells are the ones who help protect your body against infections and destroys disease-causing pathogens. In other words, Vitamin C can help make your natural pathogens-killer cells more powerful and functional.
There are also studies that show that an increase of Vitamin C in your body can promote the production of immune-boosting proteins with cell proliferation, especially your B and T cells. These cells are the cells that can help your body fight off bacterial and viral infections and other toxic environmental onslaughts. [1]
It is well established that you need Vitamin C to make your immune system work well. To fight the spread of dangerous viruses, you must rely on your own immune system along with other recommended therapies. Inadequate Vitamin C intake is a common problem that can easily and economically be fixed. One study showed that a mere 200 mg of Vitamin C a day resulted in 80% decrease in deaths among severely ill, hospitalized respiratory disease patients. [2]
Another study showed how high doses of Vitamin C can have preventative effects on viral and bacterial infections, including lung infections and the development of pneumonia. [3]
2. Limits free radical damage and inflammation
Vitamin C is also a very powerful antioxidant that can help your body fight off free radicals and even reverse the damage caused by external oxidative assaults. The negative effects that oxidative stress and related inflammation have on your body have been well studied. Too much free radical damage to your cells can lead to many chronic illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes.
Allowing your body to be subjected to an excessive level of oxidative stress and inflammation will no doubt have negative impacts on your immune health over time.
3. Reduce your risks of chronic diseases
As mentioned, subjecting your body to prolonged oxidative stress can have damaging effects on your health. Chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases, chronic fatigue, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, kidney disease for example. [4]
Vitamin C has been shown to effectively help relax your blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to other parts of your body. Relaxing your blood vessels helps to reduce your blood pressure levels and subsequently reduces your risks for hypertension as well.
Vitamin C can also help reduce the commonly known risk factors of heart disease such as high LDL (bad cholesterol) and low levels of HDL (good cholesterol) and of course high blood pressure.
Some studies have also shown that individuals dealing with diabetic issues can benefit from ensuring adequate levels of Vitamin C in your blood. Adequate levels of Vitamin C in diabetic patients seem to lower their risks of kidney deterioration. [5]
4. Maintain joint health
Adequate intake of Vitamin C has been shown to benefit bone health. Specifically, it has been shown to effectively reduce blood uric acid levels and help prevent gout attacks. Gout attacks are a form of inflammation of your joints and can be especially painful if left untreated and allow this condition to worsen. High levels of uric acid in your body cause gout attacks and because uric acid is a waste product produced by your body. When it is produced in amounts higher than what your body can dispel naturally on its own, it can crystalize and deposit in your joints, causing severe pain attacks. [6]
Vitamin C has also been shown to reduce your risks of osteoporosis and bone fractures because of its ability to help your body produce collagen. Collagen is the main component in your intercellular bone tissue, along with inorganic salts and calcium carbonate.
5. Prevent iron deficiency
Adequate levels of Vitamin C in your body helps your body absorb the iron that you take in from your diet, especially if you follow a primarily plant-based diet. Plant-based sources of iron, also known as non-heme iron, need to be converted to a form that is easier for your body to absorb and Vitamin C does just that. Iron is an important nutrient especially for your red blood cells that carry oxygen to all parts of your body. If your body does not have enough red blood cells due to iron deficiency, you will most probably be experiencing anemia.
6. Promotes healthy aging
As we age, a lot of things can start to go wrong if we do not take good care of ourselves. Many of the aging-related health issues need not be expected or inevitable. Because Vitamin C is such a widely available and affordable nutrient, taking adequate levels of Vitamin C is a very easy first step you can take towards ensuring a healthier you as you age.
Vitamin C as mentioned is a strong antioxidant and its presence in your body is needed to ward off oxidative stress from the environment and also from our natural aging process. Vitamin C keeps your cells healthy and happy and functioning well like a younger body.
Studies have shown that persistent low levels of Vitamin C can lead to impaired ability to think and remember things especially as we age. Aging-related illnesses such as dementia have been linked to lower levels of Vitamin C in the blood. [7]
Vitamin C is also an essential nutrient that facilitates the biosynthesis of certain neurotransmitters, helping keep your brain working effectively and efficiently.
7. Maintains eye health
Your eyes are your windows to the world so you need to make sure that you keep them healthy and happy. However, eyes are one of the most common organs that we see working less efficiently and effectively as we age. So all the more important to keep them in tiptop condition as young as you can. Together with lutein and zeaxanthin, Vitamin C has been shown to help prevent age-related macular degeneration, a condition that can reduce your vision or in worst-case scenarios, lead to a complete loss of vision.
Studies have also shown that Vitamin C intake can offset the age-related onset of cataracts in people 60 years and above in part due to its free radical protective effects and high antioxidant activity. [8]
8. Promote and maintain healthy skin and hair
Our skin is our largest organ and it is very important to keep it healthy because it protects the rest of your vital organs. You may have heard of the well-known historical healing powers of Vitamin C against Scurvy, the disease that many sailors used to get. And that is still very true today. Having adequate levels of Vitamin C in your body is necessary to promote proper and prompt wound healing by encouraging your body to produce much-needed scar tissue to heal wounds, helping prevent unwanted infections from open wounds.
Vitamin C is also important for maintaining your lock of healthy hair. Vitamin C along with other hair-essential nutrients such as Vitamin B3 and biotin has been shown to promote hair growth and fuller hair when levels of these nutrients are maintained at a healthy level in your body over a period of time.
9. Prevents bleeding gums and tooth loss
Poor gum health is a known common sign of Vitamin C deficiency. Without Vitamin C, your gum tissues will weaken over time and become inflamed and vulnerable to infections. This can cause your gums to bleed and also your teeth to fall out more easily. Once your adult tooth is gone, it is gone. So it is extremely important to take care of your gums and teeth from both the inside and the outside. Ensuring adequate levels of Vitamin C will help take care of your gums and teeth from the inside. It does not replace the need for regular flossing and brushing of your teeth though!
10. Helps improve your mood
Believe it or not, research studies have been done to show that taking inadequate levels of Vitamin C on a regular basis can help reduce anxiety and help improve your overall mood. A happy you is a healthier you because being in a happy place is sometimes all you need to stay healthy.
Vitamin C supplements that are good for you
If despite your best efforts to eat a healthy primarily plant-based diet, you still feeling the effects of low Vitamin C levels, here are some amazing and powerful natural Vitamin C supplements that you can start incorporating into your diet today.
You can find all of these amazing supplements from my estore.
1. Liposomal C
Liposomal C uses a unique delivery mechanism to provide Vitamin C to you and help your body better absorb this key nutrient. This unique delivery mechanism uses liposomes which are the primary building blocks of your cell membranes. As such, it is able to more effectively deliver Vitamin C to your body, by bypassing digestion and the need for your liver to break it down, thus enhancing your body’s absorption rate.
2. Vitamin C Buffered Powder (Ascorbic Acid)
This is probably the most potent Vitamin C supplement that I carry at my estore. We are all unique and some of us experience more intense “flushing” of Vitamin C and therefore experience a greater need for a more intense supplementation of the vital nutrient. The added alkalizing minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium creates this less acidic form of Vitamin C which is especially beneficial for sensitive stomachs.
3. Stellar C
More targeted towards using Vitamin C supplementation for healthier hair and skin, Stellar C is another amazing Vitamin C supplement from my estore. Besides Vitamin C, it also contains other plant bioflavonoids such as hesperidin, rutin, quercetin, and mixed citrus bioflavonoids, that together can help boost your immune health and encourage the production of collagen in your body, which is critical to maintaining healthy skin and hair.
4. C+ Bio Fizz Powder
C+ Bio Fizz Powder is very similar to Stellar C in terms of ingredients but this supplement is delivered in a powdered medium that you can easily add to your smoothie or just a plain glass of water. For those of us who do not really enjoy taking a pill, this is a great option to ensure your Vitamin C intake.
5. Quercetin Ascorbate Powder
Also in powder form, but unlike the C+ Bio Fizz Powder, this Vitamin C supplement also contains a powerful antioxidant blend that together can help boost your immune system over time and support your body’s healthy inflammatory response. This supplement is best taken between meals (without food) to have a more potent effect at reducing inflammation.
6. Quercetin + Nettles
Very similar but different from Quercetin Ascorbate Powder, Quercetin + Nettles is just that. It contains equal amounts of quercetin and nettles, which has been shown to provide immense help to reduce inflammation, aid with urinary tract infections caused by bacteria and assists with blood sugar management.
All great Vitamin C supplement choices and I am sure there is a great one just for you.
As mentioned, one of the best ways to get your Vitamin C naturally is to eat the recommended 5-9 servings per day of fruits and vegetables. To learn more, read my article 20 Best Vitamin C-rich Foods.
However, cooking fruits and vegetables can lead to the loss of some of their vitamin content. In addition, it may be difficult for some people to eat enough servings of raw natural fruits and vegetables every day. This is why supplementing a healthy diet with a robust, natural, safe source of Vitamin C can help you to meet the daily requirement for this essential vitamin.
If you are experiencing any type of nutritional deficit and are feeling its toll on your body whether it is related to poor immunity, slow wound healing or overall wellness, feel free to CONTACT ME. Together we can determine your nutritional needs and help support your body’s healthy response.
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References:
1. PubMed. Vitamin C and the Immune System.
2. Orthomolecular.org. Published Research and Articles on Vitamin C as a Consideration for Pneumonia, Lung Infections, and the Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19).
3. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Vitamin C May Affect Lung Infections.
4. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Ascorbic acid lowers central blood pressure and asymmetric dimethylarginine in chronic kidney disease
5. Orthomolecular.org. Vitamin C Supplementation Improves Chronic Kidney Disease.
6. Translational-medicine.biomedcentral.com. The Role of Vitamin C in Treatment of Pain: New Insights.
7. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Old Things New View: Ascorbic Acid Protects the Brain in Neurodegenerative Disorders.
8. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Genetic variants in a sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter gene and age-related cataract.