Why you need it? Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. It is needed to make collagen, the "glue" that strengthens many parts of the body, such as the muscles and blood vessels. • Collagen synthesis: Polyhydro-xylase and lysyl hydroxylate lysine and are essential for the hydroxyl-lysine cross-links in collagen. Ascorbic acid acts as a reducing agent and keeps both of the above enzymes active. These connective tissues include cartilage, dentin, skin, and bones. • Aids the absorption of iron: Vitamin C increases the bio-availability of iron by several means. It helps reduce ferric iron to ferrous iron. Vitamin C may have its greatest effect when taken with foods containing iron or with iron supplements. In addition it blocks the degradation of ferritin to haemo-siderin, a form of iron storage that is a considerably less bio-available form. • Antioxidant: Vitamin C is a powerful reducing agent and seems to work synergistically with other anti-oxidants such as glutathione and vitamin E. Through its antioxidant action, vitamin C protects LDL cholesterol from oxidative damage and aids in the degradation of cholesterol. • Drug metabolism and detoxification • Facilitates the formation of bile • Antihistamine effects: at doses over 6-8g per day. • The concentration of vitamin C in the adrenals is fifty times that if the serum. Deficiency Symptoms: Easy bruising and bleeding gums are early signs of vitamin C deficiency that occur long before symptoms of scurvy develop. Good Food Sources: Broccoli, red peppers, rose hips, acerola berries, citrus fruit and strawberries.
Precautions: GRAS- Generally recognized as safe. Vitamin C even in large amounts is relatively safe. The most common adverse effect reported from consuming large amounts (over 5000mg per day) is transient diarrhoea. When large amounts (greater than 1,000mg) of vitamin C is taken for more than a few weeks, copper should also be supplemented to guard against copper deficiency. No adverse effects have been reported as a result of taking vitamin C supplements during pregnancy or lactation. People with the following conditions should consult their doctor before supplementing with over 1000mg of vitamin C: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency History of kidney stones Iron overload (haemosiderosis or haemochromatosis) Kidney failure. The information provided on this site is for educational purposes only. Neither the information provided nor products supplied or offered should be construed to be in any way substitutes for medical attention or prescribed medication. Consult with your healthcare professional before taking any supplements or herbal remedies if you are suffering from an undiagnosed illness or if you are on prescribed medication.
