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Author:
Lopa Bhattacharya

Vitamin C prevents many a debilitating diseases and increases the body immunity.

This vitamin can be taken with or without food. Other than through medical supplements, some of the excellent sources of vitamin C include parsley, broccoli, bell pepper, strawberries, oranges, lemon juice, papaya, cauliflower, kale, mustard greens, and brussels sprouts.

Scientific researches have shown that there are no known advantages in consuming excessive amounts of vitamin C. Some of the more common signs of mild vitamin C deficiency include weakness, lassitude, swollen gums, nosebleeds and scurvy. Possible reasons which can result in this deficiency include inadequate diet, alcoholism and homelessness. Even though the body would only use as much as it needs of the vitamin, overdose can hinder metabolic activities in the body.

Ligaments, tendons and collagen rely on vitamin C contents to stay strong and healthy. It also helps if recycling other antioxidants. As per your health conditions, it might be more useful to take vitamin C supplements along with other antioxidants such as vitamin E, flavonoids and carotendoids. Vitamin C is a well-known anti-oxidant which protects the skin from UV radiation related damages. It can actually reverse some of the damaging effects of the disease. Excessive exposure to Sun and UV radiation causes photoaging (“age spots” caused by the sun) which causes oxidative damage in skin cells.

When looking out for vitamin C supplements in the store, take special care to watch out for esterified C, time-released C. It has not been scientifically proven that these can be absorbed easily as compared to ascorbic acid.

Benefits of Vitamin C

Vitamin C prevents many a debilitating diseases and increases the body immunity. It is more popular as a cell protector, immunity booster and powerful antioxidant. Ligaments, tendons and collagen rely on Vitamin C contents to stay strong and healthy. It also helps if recycling other antioxidants. As per your health conditions, it might be more useful to take vitamin C supplements along with other antioxidants such as vitamin E, flavonoids and carotendoids.

This particular vitamin also acts as an antidote for illnesses due to cold and flu. It lessens the severity and duration of such diseases. Wounds are healed much quicker due to inflammation inhibitory characteristics of the vitamin. Gum tissues are protected with a regular dosage of vitamin C. For these purposes, it is often taken with flavonoids. Body immunity against heart diseases is improved by improving cholesterol levels. Low levels of vitamin C are indicative of greater risk for angina and heart attacks. As an antioxidant, vitamin C also prevents certain types of cancer by protecting healthy cells from free-radical damage. It reduces the risks for cancers of the stomach and esophagus by blocking the conversion of nitrates and nitrites into cancer causing compounds. The vitamin is an excellent antidote against cataracts. It protects the eye against cigarette smoke and UV light which usually cause cataracts. Vitamin C when taken along with pantothenic acid also protects patients against migraines. When used in combination with other antioxidants such as vitamin E and flavonoids, vitamin C can act as an ant-wrinkle agent.

With its immune-boosting and antioxidant properties, vitamin C is an excellent antidote for many other health related problems.

Topical Vitamin C

Topical Vitamin C is one of the most recent developments in the world of medical sciences as an aide for skin protection. Vitamin C when manufactured into a topical formation, it becomes an excellent antidote for protection against photoaging of the skin. The currently available products contain very low levels of antioxidants which are not well absorbed by the skin.

Inventors are especially excited about the protective qualities and anti-inflammatory effects of this vitamin. Once applied, it is absorbed in the skin and cannot be washed or sweated off. Research studies have shown that topical vitamin C provides a wavelength-independent ultraviolet protection which is much more effective than any other skin care products. When exposed to sunlight, topical vitamin C products prevent sun burn damage without blocking vitamin D synthesis, unlike other sunscreen products in the market. It might also stimulate melanin production without causing harm to neighboring cells. Topical vitamin C has a tendency to degrade rapidly and hence it must be stored in airtight, light-resistant containers. Some of the side effects include stinging and skin irritation. Research studies have shown that regular application of topical vitamin C results in clinically visible anti-wrinkling. When used along with such vitamins as vitamin C and E, it provides utmost protection against the exogenous oxidative stressors encountered in daily life.

Adequate levels of topical vitamin C can be achieved from substantial intakes of fruit, vegetables and juices daily. A correctly formulated topical vitamin C is very difficult to manufacture. This is due to the instable nature of L-ascorbic acid, the key ingredient of vitamin C. Moreover, the cheaper variations of the products are not absorbed properly by the skin. Researchers are constantly trying to find a more stable version of the product. In order to get an authentic version of a topical vitamin C product, it is always advisable to consult a doctor or a pharmacist or a dermatologist.

Lopa Bhattacharya (Banerjee) is a content writer/developer, now based in Buffalo, New York, United States, working for various overseas corporate website projects, CD-Rom presentations, brochures, flyers and other communication materials. Has worked on numerous SEO copywriting projects on varied themes ranging from travel, hotel industry, photography, web design and software development to US-based clubs and network communities. Was previously an editorial associate for the news, culture and entertainment portal based on the life and times of Kolkata, India.

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A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Nutrient Basics... Vitamin C During Pregnancy Protects Nicotine Babies Whilst most women are aware of the negative effects smoking whilst pregnant can have on their developing baby, many still cannot give up. The good news is that researchers believe that taking vitamin C can counteract some of these effects. Smoking during pregnancy can lead to premature delivery of the baby, poor growth, and in some instances, is implicated in fetal deaths. It can also affect the way the infant's lungs develop, as nicotine can cross the placenta. As a result, babies may have less lung function and develop more respiratory illnesses. But a group of researchers at the Oregon Health & Science University found that in baby monkeys given both nicotine and vitamin C, the flow of air in the lungs was close to normal. There were three groups of pregnant monkeys in the study - one group was given only nicotine, one given neither nicotine nor vitamin C, and one group given both. The nicotine given was comparable to that which a pregnant mother would smoke. The group given nothing acted as the control group. Whilst this study was done on monkeys, the team behind the study believe that the results are very relevant to humans. But more work needs to be done to determine how much vitamin C is needed for smoking pregnant mothers to get similar benefits. And to ensure that higher amounts of vitamin C during pregnancy doesn't cause other unwanted effects. The researchers did stress that despite the positive benefits of vitamin C during pregnancy, it did not counteract all of smoking's negative effects on the fetus. For example, lower body weight and nicotine's effect on brain development were still a potential issue. Another benefit of taking vitamin C during pregnancy is that it may decrease the chance of their waters breaking too early. This is true for...