Vitamin C Is One Of The Most Important For Body Function

Since my days in the US Air Force, I have sworn by taking Vitamin C. It is not surprising because the body needs Vitamin C for over 300 different daily functions. It is also said to aid in the lessening or cure for irritable bowel syndrome. In fact, the C vitamin has been proved to help protect against heart disease, cancer and other serious illnesses. Without it, the body would have a lesser immunity. This is because it is vital for the formation of collagen. Whenever a person has a cut or an injury it is the collagen that helps repair the damage and without sufficient Vitamin C this would be almost impossible. Collagen has a multitude of functions in the body, including keeping the organs in place, and it would not be able to do this without sufficient C vitamin levels.

C Vitamin is also serves as an antioxidant for the body and helps other vitamins and minerals to be absorbed better. Folic acid and iron, for example, need the Vitamin C to maximize their usefulness. The more of it in the body, the better its defense against colds and other common ailments. While Vitamin C may help prevent some common illnesses, it also is known to speed recovery or lessen the effects of one.

This “miracle” essential vitamin is found in many fruits and vegetables, thought some contain higher amounts than others. Cranberries and melons have high c vitamin content. In fact, tropical fruits have the highest amounts of all fruit. Surprisingly, hot peppers are amongst the richest sources of the Vitamin C when it comes to vegetables. The hotter the pepper, the higher its c vitamin content is. Unfortunately, the Vitamin C is water soluble so many vegetables lose their effectiveness as sources if they are boiled for a long time. Steaming or quick stir frying vegetables ensures that more of their vitamin content is retained. The recommended daily amount of the Vitamin C is easily obtained from eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day if they are consumed raw or cooked quickly.

Vitamin C supplements are extremely useful to ensure that people obtain sufficient levels when they cannot consume enough through eating natural foods. However, with a balanced diet the amount the body receives is likely to be sufficient. However, if a person begins feeling tired or lethargic then a c vitamin supplement will help overcome this. There is no danger of having too much c vitamin as the body simply excretes the excess. Vitamin C has also been shown to support function in weight lifters and athletes who are taking high amounts of supplementation to enhance performance.
Information courtesy of Chicago HGH.