Vitamins : What is Vitamin C

Article by Patrick Carpen

The terms “vitamin C” and “ascorbic acid” refer to one of the many non-minerals, micro-nutrients which are essential to the health and well being of the human body.

Every vitamin is essential for the proper functioning of your body, and vitamin C is considered one of the most important. It helps prevent the onset of innumerable diseases and strengthens the immune system. This vitamin may be taken with or without food and is found in many different juices as well as supplements. It can be found in broccoli, peppers, oranges, lemon juice, mustard greens, cauliflower, papaya, and parsley. Since the overwhelming majority of species of animals and plants synthesize their own vitamin c, some, but not all animal products are sources of this vitamin. Vitamin C is most present in the liver and least present in the muscles of animals. In western societies, where muscles comprise the majority of meat consumed, animal products are not a reliable source of the vitamin. Vitamin C is also known to chemically decompose under certain conditions during cooking.

It has been indicated by extensive past researches that there are not many advantages in taking excessive amounts of this vitamin. On the other hand, a deficiency in this vitamin is never a good thing. Most commonly, a deficiency in vitamin C makes itself evident through swollen gums, unexplained weakness, and nosebleeds. Today’s trends of poor diet and alcoholism have made this deficiency common.

In order to stay strong and healthy, tendons and ligaments throughout your body depend greatly on vitamin C. When vitamin C and vitamin E are taken together as a supplement, the combination works side by side and enhance the overall impact on your body’s well being.

Known to possess antioxidant effects, vitamin c helps to protect your skin from the harmful damage of Ultra Violet rays. It can help your skin recover and repair itself by reversing some of the harmful effects of radiation. People who ensure a vitamin C rich diet tend to notice improvement s in their overall skin conditions and the use of vitamin E and C together have been noted to heal scars and other defects on the skin.

Vitamin C can be found in many fruits and vegetables–with oranges containing the highest amounts. If you drink a few glasses of orange juice daily, you’re sure to get your daily dose of vitamin C. Drinking a glass of orange juice in the morning with your breakfast and then later eating a few oranges in the course of the day is strongly recommended.

Vitamin C supplements are recommended if your lifestyle is such that inhibits time to prepare or indulge in vitamin C enriched foods. Always taking an adequate dose of the “C” vitamin will boost your health and strengthen your immune system.

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