Important Benefits of Vitamin C

Humans, chimps, bats and guinea pigs are the only animals unable to make their own vitamin C within their bodies. Yet, fear not. Getting your daily dose should be no problem for the healthy eater! For instance, did you know that just one cup of chopped bell peppers contains 291% of the daily value? A cup of steamed broccoli, strawberries, boiled Brussels sprouts, cantaloupe, one orange and one papaya all have more than 100% of your daily recommended intake as well. Other great sources include cauliflower, mustard greens, kiwi fruit, turnip greens, boiled kale, cabbage, tomatoes, raspberries, collard greens and calf liver. As a result, people will enjoy protected skin, better immune systems, improved oxygen transport and lower disease risk.You might need extra of the C vitamin if you're a smoker or a drinker, if you have a virus or fever, if you're extremely stressed all the time, if you are taking antibiotics or cortisone or if you're exposed to environmental toxins like lead, mercury or cadmium. This vitamin helps in the development of collagen and other connective tissues. It takes an active role in maintaining healthy blood vessels, healing wounds, producing thyroid hormones, metabolizing folic acid and tryptophan, as well as regulating the excretion of stress hormones like norepinephrine and epinephrine. Without this vitamin, we'd have a hard time regulating proper iron and calcium absorption. Extremely low levels of vitamin C may result in a deficiency. The earliest symptoms include dry and splitting hair, gingivitis and bleeding gums, scaly skin and a slow wound-healing rate, easy bruising, nosebleeds, swollen and painful joints, anemia, weight gain and a diminished immune system. At worst, someone with an inadequate amount of this vitamin can contract scurvy, resulting in dark purple spots on the legs, spongy gums, sunken-in eyes, abnormal bleeding, nail loss, open scars, skin discoloration, severe diarrhea and even death.Not only is vitamin C a key in maintaining healthy bones, it is also part of aging healthily, by being protected from inflammatory diseases, skin disorders and immune system failure. You can find a number of products containing this vitamin, including skin rejuvenation creams, wrinkle creams and acne washes. Additionally, this vitamin and calcium supplements claim to help regulate biochemical processes for a stronger, happier you.Vitamins and Nutrition

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Supplements & Vitamins