Vitamin C Description

Description:

A water soluble vitamin. An antioxidant, able to neutralise potentially damaging free radicals. Helps the white blood cells to fight infection and is essential for wound healing. Also needed for the formation of collagen, for healthy skin, and for the formation of other structural materials in bones, teeth and capillaries. Helps the absorption of iron from plant (non-animal) sources.

Food Source:

Most fresh fruit (especially citrus fruits), vegetables and fruit juices. Vitamin C is easily destroyed by cooking and is reduced during storage. In fruits, vitamin C accumulates during the period up to the point at which they are ripe. Once ripe, the longer they are left on the tree, the less vitamin C they contain.

Intake:

EU Labelling RDA: 60mg.

Deficiency Symptoms:

Poor wound healing, dry skin, broken thread veins, scalp dryness, irritability, weakness.

Who might Benefit from supplements:

Older people (over 55), convalescents, those who consume large amounts of alcohol, those with active, busy lives, people with colds, smokers (each cigarette destroys some vitamin C), those exposed to excessive pollution, athletes and routine aspirin users.

Side Effects/Precautions:

Some medicines can be affected by vitamin C. Women on the contraceptive mini-pill should not take excessively large doses of vitamin C at the same time of day as this may reduce the pill’s effectiveness. Upper safe level: 2000mg (long term usage); 3000mg (short term usage).