Today not just the doctor but person next door would probably tell you take Vitamin C to not get cold or flu. Do you know, it is one of the most searched vitamins on web!
Vitamin C is used for immunity in general and for so many other reasons, as it supports the entire system. The other not so famous name of Vitamin C is Ascorbic Acid.
A fact is Humans, primates and guinea pigs are the only mammals unable to produce their own vitamin C. Read on further to learn a few more important and fascinating facts about your favorite Vitamin C!
Cure Anemia with Vitamin C
The deficiency of Iron in the body causes Anemia. Most of the anemic people feel tired and crave ice. Study proposed ice gives people with anemia a mental boost.
There are two types of Iron your body gets from food, they are heme and nonheme. Iron that is found only in animal flesh like meat, poultry, and seafood are heme. Iron that is found in plant foods like whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, and leafy greens are nonheme.
The fact is iron received from plants and animals are absorbed differently by the body depending on their molecular form. Heme is easily absorbed by the body, whereas nonheme isn’t always well absorbed. The presence of Vitamin C increases the rate of absorption after it combined with iron making a totally different compound.
New studies don’t agree with the fact of vitamin C helping in nonheme absorption however they claim there is possible benefit that vitamin C might have a positive effect on changes in Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)—the measure of the mean size of red blood cells. The finding could be important because patients with IDA (Iron Deficiency Anemia) typically have lower than normal MCV values.
Slows down Aging
The common aging signs are wrinkles, bone and joint pains, sometimes arthritis. Vitamin C is well known to heal wrinkles, strengthening skin, as well as enhances elasticity and hydration. Vitamin C is source of collagen. Collagen is greatly helpful for smoothing fine lines/wrinkles, at the same time it helps treating arthritis.
Cartilage is made up of type II collagen. Cartilage gives strength to support joints. Hence type II Collagen helps in joint issues. The joint and bone pain can be lessened with a regular dose of ascorbic acid.
An important part of treatments
Prior to introduction of antibiotics, many healers/doctors used vitamin C to treat the sick. During 1940’s Dr. Frederick Klenner cured the then common diseases like chicken pox, tetanus, mumps, measles, an polio with vitamin C therapy.
As discussed above, C vitamin helps regenerating collagen in joints, bones and skin, that means it is also useful for injuries and wounds.
It is an age old therapy. Somewhere around 1747, Scurvy was seen prominent among sailors due to lack of fruits and vegetables in the ship for a long time. Then a doctor was successfully treated 12 sick sailors with citrus fruits. It helped treating effectively and eventually the sailors were named as ‘Limey’ (sucking on limes through their voyage to prevent Scurvy).
Common cold is common to Vitamin C
After Covid-19 pandemic people got the awareness about Vitamin C benefits in treating cold and flu. There is a persistent debate among doctors whether Vitamin C actually prevents a cold.
It s seen that Vitamin C before a cold or in the initial stage slows down the severity of it and reduces the length of the cold/flu.
Loose Fat Faster
Vitamin C helps in active metabolism. It allows your body to use fat as fuel. With constant use of Vitamin C it is seen that it reduces your appetite, it leads to weight and fat loss.
“Vitamin C catalyses fat molecules to generate energy. Deficiency of Vitamin C can increase fat reserves and waist circumference. This is understandable as Vitamin C helps synthesizes carnitine, which carries fat molecules for fat oxidation and energy generation,” says Luke Coutinho, holistic nutritionist and founder of PureNutrition.me (Hindustan Times, Apr 28, 2022 Edition.)
Stays in the body for 24 hours
Vitamin C is water soluble, hence it doesn’t overload your system. If you take over dose of vitamin C, it will be released through urination. To get the benefit of Vitamin C one need to take it on regular basis for a period of time.
Immunity & lifestyle diseases
Vitamin C plays a vital role in wound healing, regenerates antioxidants within the body, reduces risk of chronic diseases and can help high blood pressure patients. Vitamin C along with vitamin A also helps maintain eye health. Vitamin C along with Zinc wonders as a immunity booster as well as many other benefits of mineral Zinc.
People with zinc deficiency affects many organs. Individuals who consumes minimum animal source foods are at risk of zinc deficiency. The gastrointestinal system, Central nervous systems, reproductive system and immune system is affect due to zinc deficiency. It weakens immune systems, thyroid function is affected, low insulin production and delayed sexual maturation and impotence, importantly in males. However, male sexual maturation and impotence could be for many reasons. You may read related articles on our blog page. There are effective herbal products enhance the sex hormones in males.
Cancer Prevention
Many studies say there is a link between cancer prevention and vitamin C. Being an anti-oxidant it reduces cell damage. Vitamin C also increase the likelihood of survival during and post treatment.
Myth: Vitamin C is exclusively found in Citrus
True that, citrus fruits were first used to treat scurvy, however, this vitamin is not limited to oranges, lemons, limes, and the like. It is found in higher concentration outside of the citrus family.
Guava actually ranks to be number one as Vitamin C reservoir. Here are a few other surprising fruits and vegetables that comes before the citrus family:
Black Currants
Red Peppers
Kiwis (not actually a citrus)
Green Peppers
Strawberries
Papaya
Broccoli
Kale
Brussel Sprouts
Peas
The list goes on.
Vitamins and minerals are underrated in the medical community. Many doctors don’t focus on vitamins and nutrients because they don’t work as fast as their pharmaceutical solutions. Take some time, learn what your body needs, and take them routinely, for many benefits.
It is difficult getting the proper amount of vitamin C and other minerals through diet alone; eating properly isn’t always easy or an option. Supplements are a great alternative to fill the gap.