You might wonder what vitamin C is good for. It is one nutrient that helps protect our bodies from free radicals and prevents us from getting sick.Â
It is an antioxidant. Antioxidants are chemicals that assist the take the edge off diseases and prevent injury. When the body is exposed to a toxin, natural (like pollution) or artificial (the sun’s rays), it releases free radicals that damage cells. Free radicals are harmful and can cause many serious diseases, such as cancer.
 Yet there is another reason for what vitamin C is good for! It is readily available to add to our daily diet.Â
Oranges and other citrus fruits, in particular, contain vitamin C.
- Vitamin C is essential for the production of collagen, which helps keep your skin elastic and wound healing efficient.
- Vitamin C helps in the regeneration of other antioxidants like Vitamin E, amplifying their effectiveness.
- A deficiency in vitamin C can lead to scurvy, a disease characterized by bleeding gums, bruising, and poor wound healing.
- Unlike most animals, humans cannot produce vitamin C internally and must obtain it through diet.
- Vitamin C can enhance the effects of iron supplements, particularly for people with iron deficiency anemia.
Vitamin C Benefits
According to recent studies, vitamin C can provide health benefits in the following areas:Â
Stress Relief
 Vitamin C deficiency has been associated with several anxiety-related diseases. For example, it is the primary nutrient deficient in smokers, alcoholics, and overweight individuals.Â
Vitamin C increases the effectiveness of immune cells and decreases the risk of contracting allergies and asthma.
Hypertension and Gout
Although scientists did not entirely establish the relationship between vitamin-c-rich foods and hypertension and gout, some studies show a positive relationship between these two conditions.Â
Because vitamin C increases uric acid levels, the condition worsens when consumed with vitamin-c-rich foods.Â
A healthy diet, including green leafy vegetables, seafood, sweet potatoes, lean meats, poultry, eggs, and various fruits and vegetables, can help decrease the risks of developing hypertension and gout.
Wrinkles and Skincare Damage Caused by UV Radiation
Although there are no solid studies on the benefits of vitamin-c, most doctors believe that this vitamin performs by minimizing skin damage caused by the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Some studies also suggest that topical vitamin C may provide certain benefits in reducing sun-damaged skin.Â
This vitamin may help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, and other signs of aging skin.
Liver Disease and Hepatitis
Some experts believe that vitamin C may provide some health benefits after liver disease and hepatitis are present. Specifically, vitamin C is linked to reduced infection and liver damage in people diagnosed with hepatitis C.Â
Additional research is needed to determine whether taking vitamin-c supplements after liver disease and hepatitis positively affects patient health.Â
Only a few studies have examined the link between vitamin C intake and the risk of infection and liver disease.
Kidney Disease and Bone Fractures
Children who regularly take vitamin-c-rich foods have a decreased risk of having a urinary tract infection and developing bone fractures. Kidney stones and broken bones are related to vitamin A deficiency.Â
Therefore, it is strongly suggested that people consume vitamin-c-rich foods and supplements as soon as possible to ensure good kidney health.
These are just some of the many health benefits of vitamin C. As we all know, free radicals (i.e., toxins that damage cells and cause diseases) increase the risk of infections and aging.Â
By taking antioxidant supplements, we aid in neutralizing free radicals and preventing cell damage.
Prevent Heart Diseases
Many benefits of vitamin C help prevent atherosclerosis and other conditions that affect your cardiovascular health.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is very powerful when it comes to helping to repair damaged arteries. The cholesterol plaque that forms in arteries can harden into plaque, increasing your risk of developing heart disease.Â
If you want to prevent the development of heart disease, then you should include lots of vitamin C in your diet.
Symptoms of Vitamin C Deficiency
Vitamin C deficiency is more common than most people think. A shortage of vitamin C can result from several factors, including poor diet, genetics, lack of vitamin supplementation, excessive smoking, excessive alcohol intake, stress, pregnancy, and heredity.Â
However, vitamin C deficiency is not just found in older people; it can be found in young and older adults.Â
Because vitamin C absorption is difficult, it is recommended that we get our daily recommended dosages of vitamin C from fresh vegetables, fruit, meats, and dairy products.
Symptoms include:
- Frequent infections
- ConstipationÂ
- GasÂ
- Diarrhea
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Irritability
- Hair loss
- Dry skin
- Fatigue
In addition, some people who have vitamin C deficiency experience symptoms similar to those of some cancers such as breast cancer or lung cancer.
It is not uncommon for some infants to develop low vitamin C. Mothers can prevent these symptoms by feeding their infant foods rich in vitamin C.
What Diseases Results From Vitamin C Deficiency?
You may also develop vitamin C deficiency if you have a low blood level of vitamin C within your body. Some people who consume little vitamin C in their diet develop chronic illnesses and infections and lower their disease resistance.
Your immune system will be weakened if you don’t consume enough vitamin C, and you’ll be more susceptible to illnesses.
Moreover, you may face these consequences:
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Parkinson’s disease
- Osteoporosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Cataracts
- Infertility
- Menopause
- Congenital disabilitiesÂ
Foods with Vitamin C
Foods rich in vitamin C areÂ
- dark leafy green vegetables
- citrus fruits
- tomatoes
- broccoli
- oranges
- cantaloupe
- spinach
- parsley
- kale
- collard greens
It is also important to remember that you should eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to obtain the amount of vitamin C that you need.
Vitamin C Supplements
You can get all the vitamin C that you require from your diet. Vitamin C is present in fruit and veggies, but it is simpler to absorb when taken as a supplement. The deficiency of vitamin c occurs due to changes in diet patterns.
For example, switch from eating lots of fruits and vegetables to eating more cooked meats, eggs, and dairy products. In this case, you need to increase your vitamin C intake daily.Â
If you do not, you could have more vitamin C deficiency symptoms than you started.
How Much is Vitamin C Too much?
You can take vitamin C supplements to overcome vitamin deficiency. However, how much vitamin should one take to obtain optimal health? It is something not known in most vitamin intake guides. Â
Most people need at least 40 mg of vitamin C daily, which is enough to meet the needs of an average adult.Â
However, health experts believe that an individual with vitamin C deficiency should take about 500mg of vitamin C daily to achieve the best health benefits.Â
Takeaway
Given all the reasons to answer what vitamin C is good for, you must stay healthy with vitamin C intake. If you experience any symptoms, check with your doctor to determine if you are experiencing vitamin C deficiency. If you have a weakness, signs of Irritability may be present.
Because these symptoms can be associated with various diseases and conditions, you must talk to your doctor about the possibilities of determining if you are experiencing one or a combination of them.
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