Vitamin C, A bliss

Vitamin C, A bliss

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Just like the exquisite colors that a butterfly holds, vitamin C has numerous traits that prove it to be a bliss to mankind. This nutrient was discovered very early. Thus, it belongs the ancient family. Albert Szent Györgyi in 1930 discovered it. The different names used for this compent are Ascorbate or Ascorbic acid. It is an essential component for humans and several animals. Vitamin C is present in several natural food sources as well as are packaged as supplements in the form of capsules. The natural sources of this component include citrus fruits such as orange, kiwi, lemon, papaya, guava, grapefruit, and vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels, sprouts, capsicums .


Importance of vitamin C


Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for our body, providing several gifts that act as a boon to mankind. This nutrient is very safe and functional nutrient, among those known to the mankind. Thus, it acts as a casket. It helps in improving the immunity of a person. This nutrient also shields several deficiencies in our body. It also helps our body fight against cancer and cardiovascular disease. It improves our eyesight and acts as a remedy to several skin problems such as wrinkles, dark spots and blemishes. Thus, as our body does not induce the production of vitamin C. It becomes mandatory to consume an ample amount of this nutrient either through natural sources or through different capsules.

Advantages Of vitamin C

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There are several advantages of consuming the appropriate quantity of this marvelous nutrient. Let’s go through each one of them:

1) Vitamin C shields the immune system:


Vitamin C is said to be the Immune System’s best friend and so these nutrients are also called “The immunity nutrient”. It plays a very important role in supporting the immune system. So, it also helps it in protecting our body against several bacteria and viruses causing illness. There are several components that build up an immune system, and white blood cells also known as WBC are one of them. There are various types of white blood cells, each having an important and different function to perform. It enhances the rate of production as well as the function of several types of white blood cells. This component also enhances the production of several antibodies. It also protects the white blood cells from the chemical compounds. These compounds are the one’s that they stimulate while protecting our body against several pathogens.

2) Gives a hand in fighting cold:


Common cold is one of the most prevalent disease occurring to mankind. A normal human is said to have a cold once a year at least, at an average. Though it is not one of the consequential diseases, but it one of them which is notorious for decreasing productivity. It is also known for giving rise to discomfort and uneasiness.

Ascorbate does not helps in complete avoidance of cold but it helps in reducing the duration and effectiveness of cold. It is observed that people having a ample intake of it, have cold for shorter duration. Another observation suggests that the severity of the disease is reduced. The dosage requirement for adults to shorten the duration of cold is 6-8 grams per day. While for children it is 1-2 grams per day. It is said to accelerate the recovery rate by 14-16% in children and 8-10% in adults. This helps in enhancing the production and effectiveness of collagen. It also enhances the production of several white blood cells. These in return fight and shield our body against the viruses causing cold.

3) glorifies the skin:

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An exquisite skin not only adds a star to our personality, but also triggers the level of confidence lies in the closet within us. Ascorbic acid has marvelous effects on our skin. Be it uneven tone, be it dark spot or be it aging issues. Name the problem and our hero is ready with a solution of its own. The antioxidant Vitamin c neutralizes free radicals. So because of its antioxidant properties, it neutralizes the unwanted compounds that might harm our skin, and cause adverse effect.

Vitamin c also enhances the production of collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin help in keeping the skin firm and tight, yet soft and flexible. This marvelous nutrient also reduces the production of melanin. Melanin is a pigment whose increased production leads to discoloration, hyper pigmentation, dark spot and dark tone. The reduced production of melanin helps in achieving an even and brighter skin. Thus, ascorbate reduces and sometimes even stops the development of dark spots.

4) accelerates growth:


Healthy body growth is one of the primary parental concerns that every parent goes through their child’s growing age. Ascorbic acid, a long-term acting vitamin C derivative helps in the regulation of growth hormone. Intake of this supplementation has been shown to increase not only collagen synthesis, but also tensile strength. It also increases iron absorption in the body. Deficiency of ascorbate can lead to delay in healing and, capillary fragility. The water-soluble vitamin dissolves in water and is transported in the bloodstream. It is an antioxidant. It regenerates oxidized substances such as copper and iron, accelerating growth. Ascorbic acid deficiency can also lead to vulnerable immune system. It decreases the ability of the body to fight off infections which results in a slowdown of growth.

5) supports tissue repairment:


Collagen, the most important protein of connective tissue forms in the presence of vitamin C. Collagen is an essential protein building substance. Pre-clinical experiments had shown that vitamin C has the potential to accelerate bone healing after a bone injury or accident. Ascorbic acid accelerates healing of bone, tendon and ligament injuries. The healing of musculoskeletal tissues is dependent on the capacity of collagen synthesis. It enhances collagen synthesis and soft tissue healing. Being a co factor of prolyl hydroxylase and lysyl hydroxylase, it has an effective role in tissue healing. This nutrient also acts as an influential antioxidant by neutralizing deterious reactive oxygen species. These are responsible for cell apoptosis during the inflammatory phase.

6) bestows healthy teeth:


Vitamin C has proven to be a power pack for not only healthy gums, but also for the sparkling teeth. Having sparkling teeth can boost our smile and self-confidence. Therefore, it is mandatory to look over the miraculous benefits of these supplements. Being a water-soluble vitamin, ascorbic acid does not stay or get stored in our body. This makes it necessary to take regular and required dose of vitamin C for healthy gums. However, excess of vitamin C intake can be deleterious for our teeth because of it’s oxidizing properties.

Citrus fruits, dark green vegetables, and also dairy products can provide us with the required amount of vitamin C dose. Vitamin C basically strengthen our gums and the soft tissues of our mouth. This ends up protecting our teeth from losing. It also protects us from diseases like scurvy, gingivitis. Vitamin C sources also speeds our recovery from oral surgeries. Therefore, to maintain healthy and beautiful gums as well as teeth one must consider the wonders of vitamin C.

7) Prevents or delays several fatal diseases:


It is very much evident that vitamin C intake protects and strengthens our immune system. This strenghtens the bility to fight off infections, and diseases and reduces the risk of allergic reactions. Hence, it can be said that fatal diseases can be delayed with the required intake of vitamin C. So, many fatal though easily treatable diseases like scurvy can be prevented and cured. However, the doctrine that vitamin C can cure diseases like cancer, tuberculosis, diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders is equivocal.

8) Helps in the prevention of scurvy:


Scurvy is a disorder caused by vitamin C deficiency which is a rare phenomenon in normal people. However, it is common among malnourished. Scurvy might prove to be an embarrassment to our personality and barrier to our effectiveness. It can lead to anemia, exhaustion, ability, spontaneously bleeding, pain in the limbs, and legs, and swelling in some parts of the body, it also sometimes can lead to ulceration of the gums and loss of the teeth. The symptoms include bleeding gums, ecchymoses and petechial haemorrhage.

Scurvy can be a fatal if left untreated. It can be cured with oral vitamin C supplements. Scurvy can easily be cured or reversed by the intake of normal dosage of vitamin C. 100 mg of daily intake with the consumption of citrus fruits and nutritious vegetables. According to DRI (dietary reference intake), women must have 75 mg of daily dosage of vitamin C and for men, it is 90 mg of daily dose to avoid vitamin C deficiency like scurvy and maintain healthy gums.
Sources: citrus fruits, cantaloupe, dark green vegetables, strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, mangoes and papaya.

Conclusion


Vitamin C is one of the most important nutrient. Thus, it must be consumed on a regular basis as our body does not hold this nutrient. They can even be consumed in form of vitamin capsules that we get in the market.


References


https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/the-benefits-of-vitamin-c
https://www.nutralife.com.au/exactly-vitamin-c-help-immune-system-fight-off-colds-flu/

#vitaminc #skincare #glutax #collagen #antiaging #healthy #immunity #wellness #whitening

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