Some Facts and Info on Vitamin C

photo by Abimael Linares

Oh, the beauty of vitamin C. Oranges, as you probably already know, like all citrus fruits, are high on vitamin C. But what is about this vitamin that makes it so essential for everyday life? For starters, vitamin C stimulates the immune system, helping prevent and treat diseases and infections. In Vitamin C: Building Flexibility & Fighting Infection, author Stephanie Pedersen explains the reason this vitamin is so popular. 

“It is responsible for the formation, maintenance, and repair of collagen, the substance that forms the foundation of skin, ligaments, cartilage, vertebral discs, joint linings, capillary walls, and the bones and teeth.” ​

​Furthermore, this water-soluble antioxidant “helps prevent oxidation of water-soluble molecules that could otherwise create free radicals.” That’s why skin specialists recommend incorporating vitamin C into your skincare, especially during the day. Specialists say it helps protect the skin from the sun and free radicals, helping our skin’s aging process. 

Some foods that are rich in vitamin C include Brussel sprouts, broccoli berries, cabbage, cantaloupe, cauliflower, mango, papaya, kiwi, peppers, potatoes, spinach, tomatoes, and all citrus fruits and greens. It’s important to remember that “the body uses vitamin C in about two hours, and within three or four hours of ingestion, the vitamin leaves the bloodstream completely.” This is why ingesting vitamin C throughout the day, not just once a day, is recommended. But, of course, moderation applies to everything. Too much vitamin C, for example, can cause diarrhea, an upset stomach, excessive iron absorption, and reduced copper and selenium absorption. It’s important to take vitamin C in moderation and conduct research based on your body weight and nutrition needs. Here are some clues to help you pinpoint a vitamin C deficiency: joint pain, bleeding gums, poor digestion, easy bruising, reduced resistance to cold and infectious diseases. 

Whether you are on a plant-based lifestyle or not, remember, greens, fruits, and veggies are nature's sugar, carb, and protein. The benefits of foods that grow from the ground are endless. Be sure, however, that if you are not ingesting all the nutrients, you include supplements to complete your health needs and stay energized, strong, and healthy. 

It’s important that we as humans conduct our research, seek medical/nutritional information, and educate ourselves based on the needs our bodies require. We are all different, so what might work for some will not always work for others. 

​I've had this book for a while, but I found it online if you're interested. Here's the link: Vitamin C: Building Flexibility & Fighting Infection.  You can also try finding it at your public library. Libby is a great app where you can access library e-books  for free (no, this is not an ad... unless Libby would like to sponsor?).

​NOTE

I am not a doctor or nutritionist or food specialist. I am a plant-based human who enjoys sharing some of the things I have learned and that have helped me be healthier, stronger, and happier.

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by Jessica G Ferrer