Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a vitamin your body needs to form blood vessels, cartilage, muscle and collagen in bones. Vitamin C is also vital to your body's healing process. Vitamin C is an essential vitamin, meaning your body can’t produce it. Yet, it has many roles and has been linked to impressive health benefits. The body gets more Vitamin C from a balanced diets. It’s water-soluble. Dietary sources of vitamin C include many fruits and vegetables. Sources with the most vitamin C are fresh, raw cantaloupes, citrus fruits, kiwis, mangos, papayas, pineapples, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, watermelon and cranberries. Red and green peppers, spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, turnip greens and other leafy greens, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, winter squash and Brussels sprouts are other good sources of vitamin C.
Some benefits of vitamin C include ; 1. Strong antioxidant 2. lowering blood pressure 3. Boosting Immunity 4. Increases in iron absorption 5. Maintaining healthy skin and hair. Severe vitamin C deficiency can lead to a disease characterized by anemia, bleeding gums, bruising, poor wound healing (scurvy), Dry and splitting hair, Rough and dry skin. However, people with gastrointestinal conditions and some types of cancer might be susceptible to vitamin C deficiency and benefit from the use of oral supplements. Research on the use of vitamin C for specific conditions shows that in;
Cancer :Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables might lower your risk of many types of cancer, such as breast, colon and lung cancers. Common cold: Taking oral vitamin C supplements won't prevent the common cold. However, there's people who regularly take vitamin C supplements get a cold, the illness lasts fewer days and symptoms are less severe. Starting a vitamin C supplement only after you develop a cold is of no help. Eye diseases: Taking oral vitamin C supplements in combination with other vitamins and minerals seems to prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD) from worsening. The recommended daily amount of vitamin C for adult men is 90 milligrams and for adult women is 75 milligrams.
Oral Vitamin C supplements are generally considered safe when taken in the appropriate dose. The side effects of Vitamin C supplements are dose related.
In some people, oral use of vitamin C can cause kidney stones. Long-term use of oral vitamin C supplements over 2,000 milligrams a day increases the risk of significant side effects such as
Nausea
Vomiting
Heartburn
Inflammation that might damage the esophagus (esophagitis)
A blockage that keeps food or liquid from passing through your small intestine or large intestine (intestinal obstruction)
Stomach cramps
Fatigue
Headache
Sleepiness
Diarrhea
Insomnia
Skin flushing
Possible interactions include: Aluminum: Taking vitamin C can increase your absorption of aluminum from medications containing aluminum, such as phosphate binders. This can be harmful for people with kidney problems. Chemotherapy: There is concern that use of antioxidants, such as vitamin C, during chemotherapy might reduce the drug's effect. Estrogen: king vitamin C with oral contraceptive or hormone replacement therapy might increase your estrogen levels.
Protease inhibitors: Oral use of vitamin C might reduce the effect of these antiviral drugs.
Statins and niacin: Taking vitamin C with niacin, which might benefit people with high cholesterol, could reduce niacin's effect.
Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven). High doses of vitamin C might reduce your response to this anticoagulant.
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