Apr 12, 2012
You’ve probably heard that Vitamin C is good for you--that it is a powerful antioxidant, that it can help maintain a strong immune system and that it may promote a healthy heart. Perhaps you want to know more about vitamin C and how it functions in your body. Vitamin C is probably better known and more widely used than any other supplement, but even with all Vitamin C is known to do for the body, its versatility may still surprise you.
As early as the mid-18th century the health benefits of Vitamin C were known. British sailors who traveled the high seas brought piles of limes with them to prevent scurvy. In 1928 Vitamin C was identified as the active component of citrus which helped shield the body from illness. It became known by the scientific name of ascorbic acid, and research surrounding vitamin C’s ability to protect the cells of the body moved forward.
As the body’s main water-soluble antioxidant, vitamin C has been found to fight against free radical damage and guard the healthy cells of the body. Vitamin C is active throughout the body, and is especially effective when taken in conjunction with vitamin E. Studies have learned that vitamin C plays an important role in helping the body recycle vitamin E, another important antioxidant nutrient. Additionally, vitamin C promotes the formation of collagen (connective tissue), supports healthy immune function, helps maintain healthy gums, and is essential for the synthesis of compounds involved in the enery-producing pathways of the body. Moreover, studies indicate that low vitamin C status may negatively impact heart and eye health.
So how much vitamin C should you take? Many experts recommend at least 200 mg per day, but for optimal benefits 1,000 mg per day is considered most effective. While some people choose to take higher than 1,000 mg of vitamin C per day, no more than 2,000 mg per day should be consumed since such doses have been known to cause intestinal discomfort and bloating. Doses over 2,000 mg per day have also been known to interfere with the absorption of certain nutrients like selenium and copper. It is always important to talk to your primary health care professional about your supplement intake and to determine the most appropriate regimen for you.