Vitamin C: 25 benefits, what it is for and how much to consume
The Health Benefits of Vitamin C are innumerable, as vitamin C is a nutrient that has great importance for the overall health of the body.
Vitamin C is the most familiar of all the nutrients due to its widespread use as a dietary supplement.
Vitamin C is very critical for humans, and all mammals can use their own cells to produce vitamin C.
Vitamin C is necessary for tissue growth and repair in our body and because the body does not store vitamin C in its tissues, we need to consume it regularly.
Our bodies need vitamin C to produce collagen – a protein that helps support tendons, ligaments and blood vessels and holds the skin and other organs together.
Vitamin C, also known as L-ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in some foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement.
Humans, unlike most animals, are unable to synthesize vitamin C endogenously, so it is an essential dietary component.
Vitamin C is necessary for the biosynthesis of collagen, L-carnitine and certain neurotransmitters; Vitamin C is also involved in protein metabolism.
Collagen is an essential component of connective tissue, which plays a vital role in wound healing.
Vitamin C is also an important physiological antioxidant and has been shown to regenerate other antioxidants in the body, including alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E).
Ongoing research is examining whether vitamin C , by limiting the harmful effects of free radicals through its antioxidant activity, can help prevent or delay the development of certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, and other diseases in which oxidative stress plays a causal role.
In addition to its biosynthetic and antioxidant functions, vitamin C plays an important role in immune function and improves the absorption of non-heme iron, the form of iron present in plant foods.
Vitamin C deficiency causes scurvy, which is characterized by fatigue or tiredness, generalized connective tissue weakness, and capillary fragility.
Vitamin C will benefit your health in a great way. So, check out the Health Benefits of Vitamin C.
Benefits of Vitamin C
Immunity
A healthy dose of vitamin C protects our body from infections and maintains healthy bones and teeth.
It also improves our body’s ability to repair wounds and keeps us immune to bacteria, viruses and infections.
Not only is it a well-known component of our immune system, it is also necessary for collagen , the main structural protein found in connective tissue.
Vitamin C , taken orally, helps wounds to heal faster and better.
Applied topically, it protects the skin from free radical damage from UV exposure.
Vitamin C for a Cold
Vitamin C reduces the severity of cold symptoms and acts as an effective antihistamine that lessens the unpleasant effects of the common cold, including inflammation, runny nose, and pain.
It also controls the allergy that causes the cold. It reduces the histamine level and often shortens the duration of the cold.
Vitamin C is an Excellent Antioxidant
Vitamin C is a powerful and effective antioxidant that protects our bodies from free radicals that cause oxidative stress, or “cellular rust,” which can lead to a number of severe medical conditions, such as atherosclerosis , which can cause heart disease and stroke. brain.
Hypertension
Vitamin C lowers blood pressure and lowers the likelihood of hypertension, as well as serious health problems that can accompany high blood pressure .
Blood vessels
Vitamin C also ensures proper dilation of blood vessels which helps protect us against certain diseases such as atherosclerosis , high cholesterol , heart congestion and severe chest pain.
Reduce lead toxicity
Vitamin C helps to reduce the level of lead in our blood dramatically.
Lead toxicity can lead to various behavioral and developmental problems, especially in children living in urban areas.
This leads to learning difficulties, reduced IQ and stunted growth in children.
Adults can suffer from kidney damage and high blood pressure due to lead toxicity.
Weight loss
Vitamin C fruits and juices are proven to help people lose fat and maintain a healthy weight.
Popular dieticians and nutritionists always include vitamin C fruits and vegetables in diet charts because there is scientific evidence showing that eating foods rich in vitamin C regularly helps you lose weight significantly.
Doctors have found that eating fruits with vitamin C reduces insulin.
So, instead of storing sugar and converting it to fat, it uses it as a fuel that leads to weight loss.
Helps relieve stress
Vitamin C helps the body deal with stress by reducing elevated levels of stress , hormones and cortisol.
Vitamin C to Treat Cataracts
Our pupils in our eyes require vitamin C to function properly.
Vitamin C deficiency can lead to cataracts , where the lenses become increasingly cloudy, causing blurred vision and leading to blindness in adults.
A high intake of Vitamin C fights against cataracts and increases the amount of blood flow to the eye. 1000 mg of vitamin C a day stops cataracts in their tracks and improves vision.
Cancer
Vitamin C ‘s antioxidant properties protect cells from DNA damage and mutation and protect against cancer in the long term.
It supports the body’s immune system and prevents certain cancer -forming compounds from forming in the body. It reduces the risk of developing all types of cancer , including lung , mouth , throat , colon, stomach and esophagus.
Vitamin C also helps to regenerate Vitamin E , which is another powerful antioxidant.
Vitamin C does not directly attack cancer that has already occurred, but it keeps the immune system nourished and allows it to fight cancer.
Energy Levels
Vitamin C balances our internal body systems under numerous environmental conditions.
It aids in the production of dopamine in the nervous system and supports adrenal function for increased metabolic energy.
Heart disease
Vitamin C prevents heart disease by preventing free radicals from damaging artery walls, which could lead to plaque formation.
This nutrient also prevents cholesterol from being oxidized, which can cause stroke.
The problem of high blood pressure can also be solved with this wonderful nutrient.
All of these factors combine to make vitamin C an inexpensive and easy way to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Diabetes
Diabetic patients can also benefit from vitamin C as it helps in regulating sugar levels, reducing the risk of diabetes and improving the symptoms of existing cases.
Vitamin C supplementation forces glucose into the body’s cells, where it protects against many complications of diabetes .
Asma
People with a low level of vitamin C have a high chance of developing asthma .
Higher intakes of vitamin C will decrease the production of histamine in the body, which contributes to inflammation.
Vitamin C is an Excellent Sunscreen
Vitamin C protects our skin from free radicals that develop due to overexposure to the sun, environmental pollution and normal smoking.
Vitamin C antioxidants protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation and the effect of sun exposure.
Vitamin C helps to reduce sunburn caused by exposure to ultra violet radiation to a great extent.
Not only does it reduce sunburn, but it also prevents the consequences of prolonged exposure to the sun that can lead to skin cancer .
Vitamin C for Collagen Production
Vitamin C is a necessary component for the production of hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine, both of which are needed to bind the molecules that produce collagen .
This, in turn, makes the skin firm and tones. Collagen deficiency makes the skin dull and lifeless.
Collagen rejuvenates the skin from the roots and reduces wrinkles and the symptoms of aging.
Vitamin C to Heal Wounds
The body uses vitamin C to replace damaged tissue and helps the wound heal at a faster rate.
Wounds that heal slowly indicate vitamin C deficiency .
Vitamin C improves skin elasticity and helps create scar tissue and ligaments for quick recovery.
Vitamin C To Protect Against Skin Discoloration
Vitamin C protects DNA from photochemical reactions that can lead to tumors, skin discoloration, and various types of skin cancer .
It also inhibits the production of pyrimidine dimers which are the main cause of melanomas in humans.
It lightens dark discoloration like skin blemishes and age spots and helps you get younger, smoother skin.
Skin Texture
Collagen also provides the structure for blood vessels.
The tiny blood vessels under the skin carry oxygen and nutrients that keep the skin healthy.
Without enough nutrients, the skin will become rough and dry.
Creams that contain vitamin C improve the appearance and texture of the skin.
Vitamin C increases the formation of elastin which thickens, protects and heals skin cells.
The thickening effect helps retain moisture, increases skin circulation and thins the skin’s surface.
Hair
To get a healthy mane, we need to eat healthy foods.
A healthy diet reflects on our skin and hair.
Vitamin C is more than an antioxidant and plays an important role in improving the health of our skin and hair.
Vitamin C offers many hair benefits.
Improves Hair Growth
Low vitamin C intake can be a fundamental cause of a number of hair-related problems that affect our hair growth.
Vitamin C deficiency can result in dry hair and split ends.
These conditions are unfavorable for regular hair growth.
When our body turns the food we consume into glucose for energy production, free radicals are naturally formed.
These free radicals damage our hair, making it weak, brittle and thin.
These conditions stop hair growth.
The antioxidant properties of vitamin C reduce the formation of free radicals and minimize their effect on our body.
Having an adequate supply of vitamin C in our diet is essential for antioxidant protection against free radicals.
People who take a lot of vitamin C have healthy, strong and thick hair.
Fight dandruff
Our hair follicles often get clogged up due to dandruff and dry, flaky skin.
This can damage the hair follicles if left untreated and also inhibit hair growth.
Vitamin C helps fight bacteria on the scalp.
It removes dandruff and helps get rid of leftover follicles and encourages new hair growth.
It also helps with dry and itchy scalp because of its antiviral properties.
Combat hair loss
It is used to reverse adrenal gland fatigue. This is crucial to stopping hair loss and encourages more hair growth , as the adrenal glands are key to maintaining proper hormonal balance.
Thicker hair
It also helps improve blood circulation and strengthens and repairs capillaries as well.
This is particularly important for getting stronger, thicker hair.
Combats Hair Disorders
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for damaged hair and thus it treats and prevents a variety of hair disorders that can damage hair follicles and affect normal hair growth.
A diet that contains significant levels of vitamin C can help fight alopecia and baldness in men.
Hair color
Vitamin C not only helps fight hair loss , it also helps to retain natural color, preventing premature graying of the hair.
Now that you know the health benefits of vitamin C , make sure you are taking the recommended amounts. Please share your opinions with us, if any.