We need essential nutrients to keep our bodies healthy and happy, and there are many vitamins and minerals that our body cannot produce, yet they are vital for our health. One of those crucial nutrients is ascorbic acid, commonly known as Vitamin C. It is a water-soluble vitamin loaded with antioxidants that helps maintain skin, bones, and blood vessels. It has been linked to numerous health benefits and is a great way to boost your overall health.
Following are the 8 ways in which Vitamin C keeps you healthy:
Collagen Production
Collagen is an abundant protein found in our bodies. It plays an important role in connective and fibrous tissues, which make up our skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, cartilages, blood vessels, cornea, and gut. Vitamin C helps collagen production, increasing skin elasticity, preventing skin again, relieving joint pain, promoting hair growth, etc.
Absorption of Iron
Iron is vital to keep our body functioning, from making red blood cells to transporting oxygen in the body. Vitamin C can increase iron absorption in the body, hence reducing iron deficiency. Healthcare physicians recommend taking vitamin C tablets with iron, especially anemic people.
Reduced Risk of Chronic Diseases
Ascorbic acid is an incredibly powerful antioxidant that helps strengthen the body’s natural defense system. It helps protect our body cells from harmful free radicals, reducing oxidative stress in the body and thus reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
Cardiovascular Health
Several factors increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure levels, low good cholesterol, high bad cholesterol, high triglycerides, etc. Vitamin C might help minimize these risk factors, promoting a healthy heart.
Boosting Immunity
Most doctors and physicians recommend adequate intake of Vitamin C to increase their immunity. It enhances several functions that help boost immunity, such as producing white blood cells (phagocytes and lymphocytes), strengthening skin barriers, wound healing, etc.
Maintaining Blood Pressure
Hypertension is when the pressure of blood in your vessels is extremely high, resulting in flushing, dizziness, and subconjunctival hemorrhage. Vitamin C can help manage blood pressure as it relaxes the blood vessels, decreasing high blood pressure levels.
Reduced Uric Acid
Vitamin C helps reduce uric acid levels in the bloodstream, preventing gout attacks. Gout is a type of arthritis that occurs when excess uric acid is present in the blood. It deposits in the joints, resulting in increased inflammation and pain.
Reduced Stress
Ascorbic acid deficiency is associated with various stress-related disorders, including alcoholism and obesity. Therefore, a sufficient amount of Vitamin C in the body helps reduce stress, maintaining overall health.
Sources of Vitamin C
As we know that our bodies cannot produce Vitamin C, we must get it through the foods and supplements we consume every day.
Fresh Foods
The best sources for getting an adequate amount of Vitamin C are fresh vegetables and fruits. It is advised to consume fruits and vegetables raw, as heat and cooking can destroy their nutrients.
Some fruits and vegetables which are abundant in Vitamin C are:
Fruits
- Cantaloupes
- Oranges
- Kiwis
- Grapefruits
- Tomatoes
- Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
- Black Currants
- Mangoes
Vegetables
- Red Peppers
- Green Peppers
- Spinach
- Potatoes
- Green Peas
- Broccolis
- Cabbages
- Cauliflowers
Supplements
Even though fresh foods are a great source to get more Vitamin C in our diets, sometimes, it isn’t enough and practical for most people. That’s why we should take additional supplements to meet the daily requirements.
Recommended Dose of Vitamin C
Most healthcare physicians recommend taking at least 500 milligrams and a maximum of 1500 milligrams per day or five to nine servings of vegetables and fruits daily. An excessive amount of Vitamin C in the body can cause significant health problems such as kidney stones.
Take Care of Your Health!
We all are aware of how significant good health is. Therefore, you should take care of yourself and your health as much as possible. Eat rich foods, maintain a fit lifestyle, and get routine medical checkups.
If you live in Deerfield Beach, FL, Hillsboro Urgent Care is an excellent family clinic. They aim to give quality medical care to people, treating everyone with compassion and dignity. The staff is highly trained and skilled, prioritizing the patient and their needs.
So, if you are looking for a family doctor, physical therapy, physical exams, lab testing, and other medical services, contact Hillsboro Urgent Care today.
Address: 220 SW Natura Avenue, Deerfield Beach, FL
Phone: (954) 737 4494
Email: [email protected]