In terms of awareness, Vitamin C is one of the most popular vitamins around. Many people take Vitamin C supplements or drink juices rich in the vitamin. But what exactly does Vitamin C do? Well, the vitamin, which is also called ascorbic acid, can help repair and prevent damage to cells, heal wounds, boost the immune system, and help make your teeth and gums healthier. It also helps the body absorb iron. It is also possible that in its role as a natural antioxidant, Vitamin C can help slow down the aging process by scavenging free radicals, preventing a build up of cell damaging toxins that accelerate aging. It's not the only the antioxidant vitamin and unlike an antioxidant like l-glutathione it isn't manufactured within our bodies.
When it comes to vitamins, there are two types: those that dissolve in water and those that dissolve in fat. Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin that travels through the body's bloodstream. Whatever Vitamin C the body does not need to absorb is simply removed via urine. This means two things: first, we must always supply our bodies with Vitamin C since the body doesn't store it, and second, it's very hard to actually overdose on Vitamin C because the body doesn't absorb more than it needs.
Vitamin Food Supplement
How much Vitamin C do we need each day? It is recommended that we get 60 milligrams of the vitamin, although that can change depending on several factors. Those who smoke may need between 110 and 125 milligrams of Vitamin C because smoking can cause the body to have trouble absorbing vitamins.
It is possible to end up with too little Vitamin C in your body. This was quite common years ago during long sea voyages. This lack of Vitamin C results in scurvy. If you manage to intake over 2,000 milligrams of Vitamin C in a day, you may feel flushed and suffer from diarrhea, nausea, increased urination, and vomiting.
Where can we get Vitamin C from? In addition to supplements, the vitamin is found naturally in fruit, citrus juices, tomatoes, broccoli, spinach, red and green peppers, and potato skins. As is often the case, good nutrition is all you really need to keep your body in shape by providing the vitamins and minerals we need for good health.