Vitamin C - Ascorbic Acid

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) an antioxidant is truly a wonder nutrient and there is no doubt that many of the serious degenerative diseases plaguing the civilized world today can be prevented or even reversed through an adequate intake of this essential vitamin.

The current RDA of 60 mg/day is clearly far too low and the proposed new RDA of 200 mg/day, while perhaps adequate for healthy, young males, would seem to be quite inadequate for older people and certainly way too low for sick people.

As a matter of fact, a scientific advisory panel to the U.S. Government sponsored Alliance for Aging Research recently recommended that all healthy adults increase their vitamin C (ascorbic acid) intake to 250- 1000 mg/day. A daily intake of 250-1000 mg of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) may be adequate for preventive purposes, but far larger quantities are required in halting or reversing cancer and heart disease. Although there has been some concern that people suffering from hemochromatosis (a tendency to iron overload) may be sensitive to high dosages of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) most researchers now agree that vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is entirely safe even in daily quantities of 10 g or more. An adequate intake of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is surely the best and most cost effective health insurance available today!

Vitamin C facts. Also known as Ascorbic Acid and Cevitamin Acid

Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin and most animals synthesize their own vitamin C with the exception of humans, apes and guinea pigs. Vitamin C plays a primary role in the formation of collagen, which is important for the growth and repair of body tissue cells, gums, blood vessels, bones and teeth. Aids in the absorption of iron. Is consumed more rapidly during times of stress.

Vitamin C plays a vital role in healing wounds, burns, and bleeding gums. Increases effectiveness of drugs used to treat urinary tract infections. Accelerate healing after surgery. Help in decreasing blood cholesterol. Aids in preventing many types of viral and bacterial infections and generally potentiate the immune system. It also offers protection against cancer producing agents. Helps in counteracting nitrosamines (cancer causing substances). Aids in the treatment and prevention of the common cold. Extends life by enabling protein cells to hold together. Increases the absorption of inorganic iron. Reduces the effects of many allergy producing substances. And prevents scurvy.

For the best sources of Vitamin C please consult the USDA website.

Vitamin C supplementation.

Vitamin C is one of the most widely taken supplements and is available in pills, time-release tablets, syrups, powders, and chewable wafers. The difference in one Vitamin C supplement from another is the ability of the user to digest it or commonly called bio-availability. Most pure forms of vitamin C are derived from corn dextrose. The best Vitamin C supplements incorporate bioflavonoids, hesperidin, and rutin. Also called Citrus salts. Rose hips contain bioflavonoids and other enzymes that help vitamin C assimilate. They are the richest natural source of vitamin C.

The Vitamin C Foundation recommends that every man, woman and child over the age of 3 consume at least 3 g (3000 mg) vitamin C daily in order to enjoy optimum health. More during pregnancy (6000 mg), and much more during periods of disease (20,000 to 300,000 mg).

My personal notes on vitamin C.

Excessive intake of Vitamin C can cause unpleasant side effects such as diarrhea, excess urination, and skin rashes.

It is also recommended that vitamin C be consumed with a magnesium supplement as well as B6 and sufficient amounts of water to prevent stone formations. If any of these occur, cut back on your dosage. Vitamin C taken in conjunction with Vitamin E proves to make an antioxidant combination hundreds of times more powerful then either one taken separately click here for more information on Vitamin E. If what your looking for is an anti-oxidant complex I personally recommend Veriunis Advance Antioxidant with Red Wine Extact, this complex containes 500 mg of vitamin C as asorbic acid, 400 IU of vitamin E as alpha Tocopherol acetate, 100 mcg of Selenium as chelate, 30 mg N-Acetyl cysteine, 30 mg of Red Wine Extract, 30 mg of CoQ10. To visit the Veriuni website please click here Advanced Red Wine Antioxidant Or click here Veriuni Antioxidant for more information on this page.

While researching to write this page I found a wealth of knowledge on the Internet about Vitamin C and its amazing powers. I can't see why anyone would discount its ability to heal. With that in mind I suggest that anyone taking any type of supplement please do your homework before taking massive amounts of any thing to improve your health. I have always believed and probably always will that moderation in all things is good and I recommend to anyone that a well rounded multivitamin and some extra specific supplementation as needed, is the way to go.

DISCLAIMER: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for
educational and informational purposes only.  The content is not intended to be a
substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  Always seek
the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions
you may have regarding a medical condition.  Never disregard professional medical
advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.

Since natural and/or dietary supplements are not FDA approved they must be
accompanied by a two-part disclaimer on the product label: that the statement
has not been evaluated by FDA and that the product is not intended to "diagnose,
treat, cure or prevent any disease."
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