Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid

Vitamin C, or Ascorbic Acid, is one of the most popular and well-known vitamins out there. This is a water soluble vitamin, meaning that it can be passed through the kidneys if there is too much, but it also means that the body requires intake of Vitamin C on a consistent basis.

Vitamin C is famous for its work as an antioxidant. The ‘oxidant’ in question is actually a free radical, which oxidizes cells in the body making them damaged an more vulnerable to infection. Free radicals cause damage to the body that Vitamin C can prevent. Without Vitamin C at proper levels, the body would have a difficult time functioning. It is vital that Vitamin C is present in the system, as it helps to produce collagen, a skin repair protein It helps to delay wrinkles and boost saggy skin; as age progresses skin loses its elasticity and Vitamin C helps with this. It can even ensure that flesh wounds heal more quickly than usual!

Like other important vitamins, Vitamin C is used to metabolize iron, phenylalanine, and folic acid. The body needs Vitamin C to be able to process and use carbohydrates and to process fats and proteins and help turn them into energy.

Vitamin C is the closest thing to a cure for the common cold there is out there. It cannot prevent a cold from coming on, but it can certainly help a person to feel better. It helps to produce disease fighting antibodies and white blood cells, which are needed to fight off the illness.

In addition, Vitamin C helps to make the arteries stronger and resist the build up of debilitating plaque, which collects on artery walls and causes heart disease. It helps the body to produce all important hemoglobin and red blood cells,, and makes sure the nervous system stays in tip top shape at all times.

Studies are in progress that are working on whether or not it is possible to use Vitamin C to slow down the formation of cataracts. These studies are promising, but are not yet complete.

Fruits are the primary source of Vitamin C in the world. Oranges, limes, lemons, papayas, strawberries, collard greens, peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, sprouts, cabbage, kale, potatoes and even watercress are excellent sources of Vitamin C and Ascorbic Acid. The more you cook these foods, the less of their Vitamin C quality do they retain so if you are going to cook them make sure you do it only slightly.
It is recommended that the average adult consume no less than 60 milligrams of Vitamin C every day for optimum health.

Scurvy is probably the single most infamous indicator of a Vitamin C deficiency. This disease used to affect sailors who had been at sea for extended periods of time and had no fresh fruits or vegetables to eat. Teeth get loose, gums bleed, and joints can burn for those who have scurvy.

If you are getting sick a lot or experiencing lots of infections or colds that just will not go away, or if you are getting bruised easily and your body hurts more than usual, you may be experiencing a Vitamin C deficiency.

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