Are You Getting Enough Vitamin C?

Humans, guinea pigs, monkeys, bats, some fish and many birds, do not produce their own vitamin C. Humans used to produce their own Vitamin C through the liver. A gene mutation in our evolution eventually ceased the production of Vitamin C in our bodies. I did not know this and found it very interesting.

The FDA’s Recommended Daily Allowance of Vitamin C is only 60mg. That is the minimal amount our bodies need to ensure we do not end up developing Scurvy, a disease resulting from a deficiency of Vitamin C. 60mg of this vitamin is not enough to achieve optimal health and longevity. When taken in much greater amounts, Vitamin Chelps to support immune function, neutralize free radicals, restore energy, relieve every day stress, reduce muscle soreness, aid wound healing, and support vital systems. It also encourages collagen formation, thus fighting the signs of aging. There is also new research that suggests Vitamin C may be able to increase lung capacity, enhance mental clarity, and help maintain healthy blood pressure levels.

You might wonder how much Vitamin C is too much. It is actually very difficult to overdose on Vitamin C. It is very safe to use in much higher doses than the RDA. Humans can benefit from consuming as much as 2000-20,000 mg per day. The only common side effect of high Vitamin C doses is a transient diarrhea-like buildup of water in the lower bowel.

How do we consume enough Vitamin C? The first place to start is by eating these fruits and vegetables that have the highest Vitamin C content: parsley, broccoli, bell pepper, strawberries, oranges, lemon juice, papaya, cauliflower, kale, mustard greens, and Brussels sprouts. Then use supplementation. To ensure your body absorbs the most Vitamin C possible, it is recommended to use a powder form that you mix in water. A lot of the pill forms of supplements are mostly fillers and a lot of the actual nutrients end up being excreted without being fully absorbed in our system.

Here are two of many brands of the powder form of Vitamin C. One brand is Emergen-C that you can purchase at your local drugstore or supercenter. I’ve used this in the past and it tastes great! It comes in individual packets that you can easily keep in your purse or briefcase. Here is a link to request a free sample: http://www.emergenc.com/free-samples. The other brand is Super C22. You can order it online at:http://www.drnewtons.com/super-c22-p-1500.html. I heard a radio infomercial on this brand that prompted me to do a little research on Vitamin C. I will definitely be upping my intake of Vitamin C now that I know more about the many benefits that can be reaped.

I originally posted this 9/25/11 on my other blog.