You have probably heard that vitamin C is beneficial for the human body and supports the proper functioning of the immune system. But do you know that its effects are much more far-reaching?
Vitamin C belongs to a group of vitamins that are soluble in water. We also know it as ascorbic acid. Vitamin C is an important antioxidant, protects our body from the harmful effects of the external environment, protects cells from oxidative stress and is one of the most important vitamins that contribute to the prevention of viral and bacterial infections such as colds or flu. It is essential for the regeneration and formation of connective tissue, strengthens the skin, ligaments and blood vessels.
Vitamin C helps you from head to toe:
Head: Vitamin C takes care of healthy gums, teeth. Improves vision. It weakens the effect of allergens or toxic substances from the external environment – from the air, water, food.
Neck: Vitamin C stimulates the activity of the thyroid gland.
Heart: Vitamin C has a beneficial effect on the heart and blood vessels and, when regularly supplemented, has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular and oncological diseases.
Digestive system: Vitamin C acts as a diuretic and at higher doses than a laxative – it promotes stool excretion.
Bones: Vitamin C helps strengthen bones and cartilage.
Skin: Vitamin C promotes the healing of wounds (including postoperative ones), burns, slows down skin ageing and also plays an important role in reducing pigment spots.
Psyche: Vitamin C is very important during stress because it prevents the formation of stress hormones.
Other positive benefits of vitamin C include:
– improving insulin production,
– folic acid metabolism,
– increasing iron absorption,
– regeneration of the reduced form of vitamin E.
How do you know you’re missing vitamin C?
Many people suffer from vitamin C deficiency, but few of them associate various unpleasant symptoms with this factor. The deficit usually arises as a result of consuming a diet that lacks mainly fruits and vegetables. However, vitamin C deficiency can also be caused by high levels of copper in the blood, which prevents the human body from maintaining enough of this vitamin.
Symptoms of vitamin C deficiency:
– fatigue
– cardiovascular problems,
– swelling, bleeding and gingivitis,
– weakened immunity,
– poorer stress management,
– slower wound healing.
Diseases associated with vitamin C deficiency
It is good to know that even a minor deficiency of vitamin C in the human body increases the risk of developing chronic, inflammatory and oncological diseases. However, with long-term vitamin C deficiency, people can also develop other health problems and various diseases, in particular:
– anaemia,
– hormonal imbalance,
– nose bleeding,
– infertility,
– cataract,
– scurvy,
– indigestion,
– gallstone formation,
– reduced collagen production.
Interesting facts
James Lind (1716 – 1794), a physiologist and pioneer of marine hygiene in the British Naval Fleet, conducted the very first medical test to show that citrus fruits cure scurvy.
Linus Carl Pauling (1881 – 1926), an American physicist and biochemist who won up to two Nobel Prizes, was diagnosed with severe kidney disease in his forties – Bright’s disease. Pauling attributed this fact to the regular use of vitamin C in combination with a special diet. Pauling published papers such as Vitamin C and the Common Cold, Cancer and Vitamin C, and in his final years of life has focused on vitamin C in the preventive treatment of atherosclerosis and relief of angina pectoris.
Liposomal vitamin C
The liposomal form of vitamin C is a revolutionary form of vitamin C uptake into the human body. While most animals can produce their own vitamin C, humans rely on the intake of vitamin C from food. However, in today’s hectic world, it is sometimes difficult to maintain a sufficient intake of vitamin C, so it is advisable to supplement it with a nutritional supplement. The highest possible absorption of vitamin C is the liposomal form, which is the fastest and most effective.
