Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin C, for example, can help strengthen our immune system. It may also lower blood pressure. Many fruits and vegetables contain it.
Vitamin C is essential, which means that your body cannot produce it. It has many functions and is linked to impressive health benefits.
Water-soluble, it is found in a variety of fruits and vegetables including oranges and strawberries.
Vitamin C intake is recommended at 75mg for women and 90mg for men.
Many people choose to take vitamin C supplements instead of eating foods to meet their requirements.
1. Reduce your risk of chronic diseases
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that strengthens your body’s defenses.
They are molecules which boost the immune system. Antioxidants protect cells from harmful molecules known as free radicals.
Free radicals can lead to oxidative stress. This state has been associated with many chronic diseases.
According to studies, consuming more vitamin c can boost your blood antioxidant level by as much as 30%. This helps your body’s defenses to fight inflammation.
SUMMARY
Vitamin C can increase your blood antioxidant level. This can reduce the risk for chronic diseases such as heart disease.
2. Can help to manage high blood pressure
About one-third (33%) of American adults suffer from high blood pressure.
Heart disease is the number one cause of death worldwide.
Vitamin C has been shown to lower blood pressure, both in those with high blood pressure and those without.
A study on animals found that taking vitamin C supplements helped relax blood vessels that transport blood from the heart. This helped lower blood pressure.
An analysis of 29 human trials found that, on average, taking a vitamin C-rich supplement reduced the systolic (upper value) and diastolic (lower value) blood pressures in healthy adults by 3.8mmHg & 1.5mmHg, respectively.
Vitamin C supplementation reduced the average systolic and diastolic pressure in adults with high blood-pressure.
Although these results are encouraging, it is not known if the effects are long-term. Vitamin C is not the only treatment for high blood pressure.
SUMMARY
Vitamin C supplements can lower blood pressure, both in healthy adults as well as those with high pressure.
Ask about our source for online shopping of natural supplements, and nutritional foods.
For more information email us at:
info@afitandhealthylifestyle.com
3. Reduce your risk of heart disease
The leading cause of death in the world is heart disease.
Heart disease is caused by a number of factors, including high blood triglyceride levels or LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and low HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol).
Vitamin C can help reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing these factors.
After 10 years, an analysis of nine studies with 293,172 participants combined found that people who take at least 700mg of vitamin C per day had a lower risk of cardiovascular disease than those who do not.
Another analysis of 15 studies revealed that vitamin C in foods, not supplements, was associated with a reduced risk of heart disease.
Scientists were not sure if people who consumed foods rich in vitamin C also led a healthier life than those who took supplements. It is therefore unclear if the differences are due to vitamin C, or other aspects of a person’s diet.
A second analysis of 13 studies examined the effects of taking 500 mg of Vitamin C per day on heart disease risk factors, including blood cholesterol and triglyceride level.
The analysis showed that taking vitamin C supplements significantly reduced LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) by 7.9 mg/dL, and blood triglycerides were reduced by 20.1.
It seems that taking 500mg of vitamin C daily can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. If you consume a diet rich in vitamin C, supplements may not be beneficial to your heart.
SUMMARY
Vitamin C supplements are linked to a lower risk of heart disease. These supplements can lower heart disease risks, such as high levels of LDL cholesterol (bad) and triglycerides.
4. Reduces blood uric acids levels and helps prevent gout attacks
Gout is an arthritis type that affects about 4% of American adult.
Gout is a painful condition that involves swelling of the joints. This includes the big toes. Gout causes swelling and severe pain.
When there are too many uric acids in the blood, gout symptoms will appear. Uric acid is produced by the human body. It can crystallize in high concentrations and deposit itself in joints.
It is interesting to note that several studies have found that vitamin C can help reduce the number of uric acids in your blood, and consequently, prevent gout attacks.
In a study of 1,387 men, it was found that the men who consumed more vitamin C had lower levels of uric acids in their blood than the men who consumed less.
A second study examined 46,994 men in good health over a period of 20 years to see if vitamin C intake is linked to gout. The study found that those who took vitamin C supplements had a lower risk of gout by 44%.
A study comparing vitamin C to a placebo found that the blood uric acids were significantly lower when taking it for 30 days.
More studies are needed to determine the effects of Vitamin C on gout.
SUMMARY
The consumption of vitamin C-rich foods, supplements and beverages has been associated with a lower blood uric level and a reduced risk of gout.
5. Helps prevent iron deficiency
Iron is a vital nutrient with many functions in the human body. Iron is essential to produce red blood cells, and it transports oxygen throughout the entire body.
Vitamin C supplements may help to improve iron absorption from food. Vitamin C helps convert iron from sources that are difficult to absorb, like plant-based iron, into an easier form.
It is particularly useful for those who do not eat meat since meat is an important source of iron.
Iron absorption can be improved by 67% with just 100 mg of Vitamin C.
Vitamin C can help to reduce anemia in people who are prone to iron deficiency.
In a study, 65 children who had mild iron deficiency were given vitamin C supplements. Researchers found that this supplement was enough to control anemia.
You can improve your iron levels by consuming foods rich in vitamin C or taking vitamin C supplements. Beef liver is a great source of iron.
SUMMARY
Vitamin C improves the absorption rate of iron, which is often poorly absorbed. This includes iron from sources that are not meat. Iron deficiency may be reduced by vitamin C.
Ask about our source for online shopping of natural supplements, and nutritional foods.
For more information email us at:
info@afitandhealthylifestyle.com
6. Immune booster
Vitamin C plays a role in the immune system and is therefore a popular supplement.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect the body from infection.
Vitamin C also helps white blood cells to function better, while protecting them against potentially harmful molecules such as free radicals.
Third, Vitamin C is a vital part of skin’s defense system. It is actively transported to skin where it can function as an antioxidant and strengthen the skin’s barrier.
Vitamin C can also speed up the healing of wounds.
Low vitamin C levels are also linked to poorer health outcomes.
Vitamin C can help speed up recovery in people with pneumonia.
SUMMARY
Vitamin C can boost immunity. It does this by boosting white blood cell function, strengthening the skin’s defense, and healing wounds.
7. As you age, your brain and memory need to be protected.
Dementia can be used as a general term to describe the symptoms of impaired memory and thinking.
Over 35 million people suffer from this condition worldwide, and it is most common in older adults.
Researchers have found that inflammation and oxidative damage near the spine, nerves, and brain (collectively known as the central neurological system) may increase dementia risk.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant. This vitamin has been linked to a reduced ability to remember and think.
In addition, a number of studies have revealed that dementia patients may have lower levels of vitamin C in their blood.
Further, it has been proven that a high intake of vitamin C from food or supplements can protect your memory and thinking as you age.
If you do not get enough vitamin C in your diet, supplements like Vitamin C may help prevent conditions such as dementia. Additional human studies are required to fully understand the effects that vitamin C supplements have on nervous system health.
SUMMARY
A low vitamin C level has been linked to an increase in memory and thinking disorders such as dementia. However, a high intake from food and supplements of vitamin C can have a protective impact.
