Vitamin C Benefits: 5 Reasons Why You Should Be Getting Enough Vitamin C

by Peter Bua

Vitamin C is essential to a healthy lifestyle. Vitamin C benefits include immune support, collagen production, and much more. Your body needs vitamin C (ascorbic acid) to form blood vessels, cartilage, muscle, and collagen in bones. Vitamin C is vital to your body's healing process. Because your body doesn't produce vitamin C, you need to get it from your diet. Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, berries, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and spinach. Vitamin C is also available as an oral supplement, typically in the form of capsules and chewable tablets. MayoClinic.org> Here are five vitamin C benefits:

Vitamin C and Immune Support

Boosting your immune system in more important now than ever. Vitamin C helps encourage the production of white blood cells which helps protect the body against infection. Vitamin C helps these white blood cells function more effectively while protecting them from damage by potentially harmful molecules such as free radicals.

Collagen Support

Collagen is definitely a buzz word that you have heard in the health, wellness, and beauty communities. What is collagen? Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body, accounting for about a third of its protein composition. It’s one of the major building blocks of bones, skin, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Collagen is also found in many other body parts, including blood vessels, corneas, and teeth. Without adequate amounts of dietary vitamin C, the body can't actually form or store collagen. This makes vitamin C a mandatory co-factor in collagen synthesis. It's responsible for holding cells together during the creation of collagen.

Blood Pressure Improvements

Studies have shown that vitamin C may help lower blood pressure in both those with and without high blood pressure. An analysis of 29 human studies found that taking a vitamin C supplement reduced systolic blood pressure by 3.8 mmhg and diastolic blood pressure by 1.5 mmhg on average in healthy adults.

Physical and Mental Health Benefits

It has been observed that people with high levels of vitamin C are less likely to suffer from depression and fatigue. Studies have also shown that Vitamin C is inversely related to body mass. Individuals with adequate vitamin C levels oxidize 30% more fat during moderate exercise than individuals with low vitamin C levels. So high levels of vitamin C may help you burn more fat while you exercise.

Increased Iron Absorption

Vitamin C can help improve the absorption of iron from your diet. Vitamin C assists in converting iron that is poorly absorbed such as plant-based sources into a form that is easily absorbed. If you have low iron levels, consuming a vitamin C supplement may help improve your blood iron levels. In one study, 65 children with mild iron deficiency anemia took a vitamin c supplement and it was found that the supplement alone helped control their anemia.

What are the Signs of a Vitamin C deficiency?

There are a plethora of signs that could signal a Vitamin C deficiency. Signs include dry skin, rough bumpy skin, slow healing wounds, painful swollen joints, weak bones, bleeding gums and tooth loss, poor immunity, chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. In rare cases, people with low levels of vitamin C can experience a condition called Scurvy. Symptoms include bruising, bleeding gums, fatigue, and rash.

How Much Vitamin C Should I Take Daily?

For adults, the recommended daily allowance for Vitamin C is at least 65-90 milligrams a day and as high as 2000 mg a day. Always consult with your doctor to determine the right amount of vitamin C for you.

What is the Best Way to Take Vitamin C?

As with any Vitamin or mineral its best to get vitamin C through foods such as fruits and vegetables. But you would have to eat TONS of fruit and vegetables every day just to get the right amount. So taking it in a supplement form would be the best option. In order to gain the most absorption, it’s best to take either a liquid or powder. FitFormula’s Vitamin C - Liposomal allows for Vitamin C to be delivered directly into your bloodstream from the digestive system, bypassing digestive barriers maximizing bioavailability. Liquid or powder vitamin c allows for better overall absorption.