Why We Need Vitamin C Supplements – Its Sources
Vitamin C, a water-soluble vitamin and also known as ascorbic acid, cannot be stored inside the body and must be taken daily through foods or supplements. As this vitamin does not remain in our body so there is little to no risk of vitamin C toxicity. Though a person should not go too high on vitamin C intake as it may interact with the absorption of other nutrients. Up to 2000 mg of Vitamin C per day is considered safe.
Health Benefits of Vitamin C:
Our body depends on vitamin C in multiple aspects. Vitamin C plays different essential roles in our body, including;
• It provides antioxidant support and boosts immunity of our body
• It helps our body to absorb iron more efficiently
• It supports collagen formation and wound healing
• It promotes skin and eye health by preventing free radical damage
Best Sources of Vitamin C:
Due to its solubility in water, vitamin C is abundantly present in a lot of natural foods and can also be taken through supplements, without any significant side effects. It is no more a mystery to know that citrus fruits are good sources of vitamin C, but there are other rich sources as well. Foods that provide a good amount of vitamin C are;
• Cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower)
• Bell peppers and chilies
• Guava
• Strawberries
• And, other water filled fruits and vegetables (cucumber, cantaloupe, etc.)
Sometimes people don’t get enough vitamin C out of the diet, like when a person is not consuming appropriate amounts of fruits and vegetables or a person who smokes a lot. Smoking increases the deficit of vitamin C in the body. And, these scenarios require supplemental aid to fulfill the vitamin C requirement in the body. Following supplements can help to manage vitamin C deficiency in the best way:
1. Extra-C
This dietary supplement contains a sufficient amount of vitamin C to cover its deficiency in the body. Moreover, it also contains Rosehip Extract, which supports the antioxidant effect of vitamin C and is also a strong antioxidant itself. This supplement can also be used to improve the overall health of the skin.
2. Nutra-C Plus
Nutra-C Plus is another dietary supplement providing vitamin C along with a boost of Zinc in it. Both these nutrients are strong antioxidants and are helpful to our body in several ways by improving the overall health of a person. These nutrients may help to enhance iron absorption, strengthen immune system and promote wound healing.
3. Nutri-C 1000
This dietary supplement contains vitamin C, Rosehip Extract and some Citrus Bioflavonoids. Along with providing immunity, these nutrients are also helpful in promoting tissue repair and improving skin health. These nutrients also help in slowing down the aging process.
References:
• https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/the-benefits-of-vitamin-c#1
• https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-c-benefits#5.-Helps-prevent-iron-deficiency
• https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1001/vitamin-c-ascorbic-acid#
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-vitamin-c/art-20363932
• https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/rose-hips#benefits
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22762068/