Did You Know Just That Many Cancers Are Linked To A Vitamin Deficiency?
Vitamin C - ascorbic acid - information
Vitamin C also known as, ascorbic acid, L-ascorbic acid,
dehydroascorbic acid, the antiscorbutic vitamin, L-xyloascorbic
acid and L-threo-hex-2-uronic acidy-lactone, is a much talked
about vitamin, with people claiming it as a cure-all for
may diseases and problems - from cancer to the common cold.
Yet,
this miracle vitamin cannot be manufactured by the body,
and needs to be ingested.
Vitamin
C is required for
Vitamin C is required in the synthesis of collagen in connective
tissue, neurotransmitters, steroid hormones, carnitine,
conversion of cholesterol to bile acids and enhances iron
bioavailability. Ascorbic acid is a great antioxidant and
helps protect the body against pollutants.
Because
vitamin C is a biological reducing agent, it is also linked
to prevention of degenerative diseases - such as cataracts,
certain cancers and cardiovascular diseases.
Ascorbic
acid also promotes healthy cell development, proper calcium
absorption, normal tissue growth and repair - such as healing
of wounds and burns. It assists in the prevention of blood
clotting and bruising, and strengthening the walls of the
capillaries.
Vitamin
C is needed for healthy gums, to help protect against infection,
and assisting with clearing up infections and is thought
to enhance the immune system and help reduce cholesterol
levels, high blood pressure and preventing arteriosclerosis.
Deficiency
of vitamin C
When there is a shortage of VITAMIN C, various problems
can arise, although scurvy is the only disease clinically
treated with vitamin C. However, a shortage of vitamin C
may result in "pinpoint" hemorrhages under the
skin and a tendency to bruise easily, poor wound healing,
soft and spongy bleeding gums and loose teeth.
Edema
(water retention) also happens with a shortage of vitamin
C, and weakness, a lack of energy, poor digestion, painful
joints and bronchial infection and colds are also indicative
of an under-supply.
Dosage
The dosage underneath is the Recommended Dietary Allowance
(RDA), but be aware that this dosage is the minimum that
you require per day, to ward off serious deficiency of this
particular nutrient. In the therapeutic use of this nutrient,
the dosage is usually increased considerably, but the toxicity
level must be kept in mind.
The
RDA is 60 mg, per day - yet this amount will only prevent
you from picking up scurvy and more recent studies suggest
that an intake between 200 - 500 mg per day may be the most
beneficial for healthy people.
The
recommend dosage for pregnant or lactating women is 75-95
mg per day.
Toxicity
and symptoms of high intake
Since ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin, toxic levels
are not built up or stored in the body, and any excess is
lost mostly through urine. If extremely large amounts are
taken gastrointestinal problems may appear, but will normalize
when the intake is cut or reduced. To determine a level
where a person might experience discomfort is difficult,
since some people can easily stomach up to 25,000 mg per
day, while others start having a problem at 600 or 1,000
mg.
Some
people using mega dose therapy of vitamin C may have side
effects such as gastrointestinal complaints including diarrhea,
nausea and abdominal cramps. These side effects normally
stop as soon as high potency intake is reduced or stopped.
Best
used with
Vitamin C will be more effective if taken with bioflavonoids,
calcium and magnesium. To enhance the antioxidant properties,
it will be best to take it with the other anti-oxidants,
as there is strong evidence of synergy between all of them.
When
more may be required
Mega doses of vitamin C should be avoided in individuals
with a history of renal stones due to oxalate formation
or hemochromatosis or other diseases related to excessive
iron accumulation.
Extremely
high dosage of vitamin C may predispose premature infants
to hemolytic anemia due to the fragility of their red blood
cells.
The
need for vitamin C will dramatically increase in times when
the body is subjected to trauma, infections, and strenuous
exercise, elevated environmental temperatures or if the
person is a smoker. Smokers should supplement with another
100 mg per day.
Be
careful of taking aspirin and vitamin C together - it may
cause stomach irritation.
Enemy
of vitamin C
Antagonists that destroy this vitamin are air, heat, water
as well as prolonged storage, overcooking and processing.
Antacids,
alcohol, antidepressants, birth control pills and steroids
will also deplete this vitamin.
Other
interesting points
Ongoing research is looking at the clinical use of vitamin
C in the prevention and treatment of human diseases.
Food
sources of vitamin C
Good sources of vitamin C are green leafy vegetables, berries,
citrus fruits, guavas, tomatoes, melons, papayas etc.
http://www.anyvitamins.com/vitamin-c-ascorbicacid-info.htm
