Facts On Vitamin C

For those interested in the facts on vitamin C, this article will provide what you're seeking... by M. Daniels, who has been professionally writing and editing technical non-fiction articles and publications for over 3 decades.

Vitamin C is possibly one of the most known and controversial vitamins that exists. It has been widely used discussed and studied. Here are the highlights of what has been learned.

• Active in the formation of collagen, needed for cells, blood vessels, gums, bones and teeth
• Enhances protection against carcinogenic agents
• Helps lower cholesterol in the blood
• Helps body absorb iron
• Used up more rapidly when body is under stress
• Helps in bone and tooth formation
• Increases blood vessel strength, immunity and adrenal secretions
• Inhibits nitrosamines--or substances which cause cancer--from forming
• Makes drugs used in treating urinary tract infections more effective
• Vitamin C is not stored in the body and any excess is rapidly eliminated in the body's urine.
• Most animals except humans, apes and guinea pigs synthesize their own Vitamin C
• Helps digestion, iron absorption and cell respiration
• Acts as a natural laxative
• Prevents scurvy
• Carbon monoxide destroys vitamin C
• Promotes more rapid healing after surgery
• Reduces the effects of allergenic substances
• Helps in healing bleeding gums, wounds and burns
• Reduces the formation of blood clots in vein
• Aids in collagen and red blood cell production
• Is water soluable
• Heat, light and cooking destroy vitamin C.
• Smokers and older people also can benefit from extra vitamin C.
• Most vitamin C which is not used is excreted within 2 to 3 hours of being eaten. Timed release supplements may help avoid this.
• Lab tests can be affected by large amounts of vitamin C. Make your doctor aware if you are using vitamin C supplements when having tests done
• A magnesium supplement may be advisable if you are taking more than 750 mgs of vitamin C a day
• Bioflavinoids and calcium help in absorbing vitamin C
• Aspirin may greately increase the excretion rate of vitamin C.
  
  
  

Sources

Foods and herbs where vitamin C is found (in no particular order):

• Rose Hips
• Echinacea
• Comfrey
• Capsicum
• Sarsaparilla
• Burdock
• Barley Green
• Garlic
• Juniper Berries
• Bee Pollen
• Parsley
• Plantain
• Eyebright
• Shepherd's Purse
• Willow
• Corn
• Hawthorn
• Watercress
• Stinging Nettle
• Bananas
• Asparagus
• Algae
• Papaya
• Beets
• Broccoli
• Brussels Sprouts
• Grapefruit
• Cauliflower
• Cantaloupe
• Cabbage
• Potatoes
• Grapes
• Guava
• Kale
• Tomatoes
• Kiwi
• Peaches
• Parsley
• Oranges
• Onions
• Peas
• Pineapple
• Pumpkin
• Red Pepper
• Strawberries
  

  
  

  
  

Precautions

Side effects which are suspected to be caused by excessive consumption of vitamin C in concentrated supplemental form.

• Abdominal Cramps.
• Decreased Vitamin B12 absorption.
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)or blood clots in the deep veins of the legs.
• Diarrhea. Vitamin C helps prevent constipation hence excessive amounts may produce "the runs".
• Drowsiness.
• Erosion of Teeth. Too much citric acid upon the teeth can erode the enamel.
• Gastritis. This can lead to ulcers or acid reflux.

Supplements

Vitamin C is likely the most used vitamin supplement largely because in most of the foods with this vitamin, the cooking and processing tends to destroy it.

Supplements are available in virtually any form which can be imagined: tablets: liquids, timed-release pills, powders, chewable tablets and even injections.

Forms which can be swallowed may be tablets or capsules which, typically, could  contain up to 1000  milligrams each. Currently the minimum requirement each day (MDA) is considered to be 2,500 mg with a maximum daily intake of 40,000 mg.

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