THE IMPORTANCE OF VITAMIN C

There are many vitamins that your body needs every single day in order to function in peak condition. Some of these vitamins are fat soluble, which means that our body can store them for later us. Vitamin C is one of the vitamins in the body that is not fat-soluble. Therefore, the body cannot store it and it must be consumed everyday. How much vitamin C you should have in your body depends on your age, gender, weight, lifestyle and whether you are pregnant or not.

In most cases, you will automatically get enough vitamin C in your foods, especially if you are eating a healthy diet. A diet that includes foods like green vegetables ( lettuce, broccoli, green peppers), fish, potatoes, milk and tomatoes will help you get enough vitamin C. If you are not and your doctor tells you to begin taking vitamin C supplements, look carefully at the labels of the different brands before you buy anything. Vitamin supplements are classified as foods and not drugs, they are not regulated by the government and each brand’s potency will vary slightly from the next.

What does vitamin C do? Basically, it is an antioxidant, which means that it battle the forces in our body that can cause organ, tissue, and cell damage. Therefore, vitamin C protects the body. It may be linked to reducing the signs of aging. If you do not have enough vitamin C in your body, you will develop scurvy. Scurvy is very uncommon in the United States, but you may remember it from your history lessons when Columbus’ men did not have enough fresh fruits and vegetables they developed scurvy. However lack of vitamin C can cause anemia, gum disease, skin hemorrhages, and weakness.

When you begin taking vitamin C supplements, make sure that you follow your doctor’s recommendations. If you take too much vitamin C, you can overdose, just as you could on any drug. This is rare because vitamin C is water soluble and high amounts will typically be flushed from the body at a normal rate. When over amounts of vitamin C are in the system it can cause kidney stones and interfere with vitamin B12 absorption, causing anemia. Diarrhea is also a side effect. That is why is always best to follow your doctor or nutritionist's direction for taking this supplement.
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Billie A Williams
www.billiewilliams.com
billie@billiewilliams.com