The benefits of
Vitamin C
We’ve all heard that orange juice is good for curing colds and sniffles, because it contains vitamin C – though it may not be the cure for the common cold, vitamin C does play an important role in the formation and function of our body, some of the benefits include:
Improved skin appearance
Due to its antioxidant properties, vitamin C can aid your skin’s natural regeneration process, which helps your body repair damaged skin cells.
If your skin needs a natural boost, vitamin C can support your body’s natural collagen production and is also a highly effective antioxidant protecting cells from damage by free radicals. – helping to fight the signs of ageing from the inside out.
And that’s not all. Vitamin C can help keep your cartilage and bones strong by helping your body to make collagen. Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies and acts as a scaffold to provide structure and strength. About 90% of the matrix proteins in our bones are collagen, so it makes sense that it is good for our bones and cartilage.
It may reduce risk of chronic disease
Vitamin C is an essential micronutrient and contributes to, and strengthens our immune system by supporting various cellular functions. Vitamin C is also a potent antioxidant and can increase your blood antioxidant levels by up to 30%. This helps the body’s natural defenses fight inflammation.
It is also thought that vitamin C can help reduce the risk factors of heart disease (the leading cause of death globally), including high blood pressure, high triglyceride or LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. A recent study in animals found that vitamin C supplement helped relax the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart, which helped reduce blood pressure levels.
Improved mood
An early sign that you may be deficient in vitamin C can be poor mood and fatigue. We all feel tired and worn out from time to time, particularly with increasingly busy work and social lives. But if you’re feeling exhausted all the time, your body may be struggling to convert the energy you give it into action. If you are fuelling your body with the food and drink it needs and still feeling the fatigue, it could mean that your body is lacking in certain micronutrients, like vitamin C.
Depression, personality changes, listlessness and general malaise are some of the symptoms of scurvy, which can occur if you are deficient, making vitamin C vital for normal mental health.
Vitamin C can give your mood a boost. Studies have shown a significant reduction in anxiety and depression when sufficient levels of C were taken, either by diet or supplements. One thing to note is that vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin. Therefore, the body doesn’t store this vitamin. So be sure to take it regularly to ensure regular healthy levels.
Improved gum and teeth health
Vitamin C can help strengthen your gums and the soft tissue in your mouth and prevent your teeth from loosening. Low levels in the body have been linked with the most advanced stages of gum disease. Vitamin C is needed for protein synthesis, such as the production of collagen. Collagen is responsible for the building of healthy tissues in the body, including gum tissue.
If you don’t get enough vitamin C over several months, you become at risk of scurvy – an illness that was once common on 19th-century sailors. Symptoms of scurvy include bleeding, swollen gums, and loosened teeth. So if you want to achieve a healthy smile, increase your vitamin C.
It helps you absorb iron and prevent iron deficiency
Vitamin C has been shown to enhance iron absorption. It captures non-heme iron and stores it in a form that’s more easily absorbed by your body. Studies have demonstrated that iron absorption can be increased 1.5-10 fold as a consequence of consuming orange juice with a meal (up to the maximum daily recommended dose of vitamin C for the individual).
And that's not all...
Vitamin c has been linked to the reduction of blood uric acid levels that help prevent gout attacks, protecting your memory and thinking as you age and maintaining psychological functions, supporting energy-yielding metabolism and helping your body create vitamin E.
As you can see vitamin c is an important nutrient in maintaining a healthy body. If you’re worried about your vitamin levels speak to one of our doctors or book a Vitamin C IV Drip appointment.
