Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) assists the body in the production of collagen, a basic component of connective tissues. Collagen is an important structural element in blood vessel walls, gums, and bones, making it particularly important to those recovering from wounds and surgery.
How does Vitamin C Help?
Vitamin C is a very important nutrient. Vitamin C may work against high blood pressure (hypertension), by protecting levels of nitric oxide, a natural chemical in the body that helps relax blood vessels. Vitamin C promotes healthy teeth and gums, helps in the absorption of iron, aids in the maintenance of normal connective tissue, and promotes wound healing. It also helps the body's immune system.
Vitamin C Deficiency -
Lack of vitamin C can lead to a condition called scurvy, which causes muscle weakness, swollen and bleeding gums, loss of teeth, and bleeding under the skin, as well as tiredness and depression. Vitamin C deficiency also causes wounds to heal slowly.
Individuals who are likely to be vitamin c deficient are people suffering from:
* AIDS
* Alcoholism
* Burns
* Cancer
* Diarrhea (prolonged)
* Fever (prolonged)
* Infection (prolonged)
* Intestinal diseases
* Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
* Stomach ulcer
* Stress(continuing)
* Surgical removal of stomach
* Tuberculosis
* Infants receiving unfortified formulas
* Smokers
* Patients using an artificial kidney (on hemodialysis)
* Patients who undergo surgery
* Individuals who are exposed to long periods of cold temperatures
There is not adverse side effects if Vitamin C is taken as prescribed -
2007-12-30 13:18:39
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answer #1
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answered by Jayaraman 7
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This Site Might Help You.
RE:
What does Vitamin C do?
I found a bottle of Vitamin C perscribed to a friend of mine for 500mg
What does Vitamin C do?
Can you overdose on Vitamin C?
What are the side effects of Vitamin C?
thank you :)
2015-08-18 21:38:40
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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Vitamin C is an antioxidant, meaning it helps cells fight off chemicals that can cause damage. Your body makes free radicals and vitamin C helps destroy them before they destroy your cells.
It is difficult to overdose on vitamin C, but as with anything, too much of anything can be bad. Some people take as much as 10,000 milligrams daily without any side affects. It is an acid, so it may give you a bit of acidic stomach. Linus Pauling (a 2 time Nobel Prize winner) swore by vitamin C.
2007-12-30 13:16:49
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answer #3
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answered by Jstlook@danumbers 1
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42
2013-12-11 13:24:58
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answer #4
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answered by Maria 2
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Vitamin C has been dubbed as one of the most safest and effective nutrients all over the world. Though plants and certain animals have the ability to create this vitamin on their own, humans need to get this vitamin from their food sources. Fresh fruits and vegetables, especially the citrus fruits are the richest source of Vitamin C. Fresh fruits contains a higher amount of active Vitamin C as compared to their packed counterparts.Vitamin C is known to help cure Scurvy. Though this disease is not common these days, today Vitamin C is used actively in order to treat common cold, gum infections and acne. Infections related to the bladder or prostate too can be easily cured with this Vitamin.Vitamin C has proved to be extensively beneficial in order to increase the iron absorption from the foods as well as correcting a protein imbalance in the body which is caused in newborns.Vitamin C prevents cataracts, glaucoma as well as helps to prevent the gall bladder disease. Not only that, it helps to deal with cystic fibrosis, infertility as well as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Some of the other uses of the vitamin are slowing down the aging process as well as to help the person deal with drug withdrawal syndrome.
Uses of Vitamin C:
Vitamin C is used extensively for the prevention of Vitamin C deficiency – Scurvy. Also, Vitamin C helps the body to increase its iron absorbing tendency. Vitamin C infections are prescribed to newborns suffering from Tyrosinemia. Skin creams containing Vitamin C are used extensively in order to treat wrinkled skin. Consuming Vitamin C helps you to decrease the risks of mouth and breast cancers. Vitamin C is extensively used for the treatment of common cold and helps to lower the higher blood pressure. It also decreases the chances of gall bladder disease and prevents sunburns. It is used for the treatment of AMD (Age related macular degeneration), an eye disease.
Sources of Vitamin C:
The following foods are the richest sources of Vitamin C:
Peppers (Sweet red peppers and yellow bell peppers)
Guavas
Dark, leafy vegetables
Kiwis
Broccoli
Berries, such as strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and blueberries
Citrus fruits such as Lemons, Oranges and Grapefruit
Tomatoes
Peas
Papaya, Mangoes, Pineapples, Cantaloupe and Melons
Side effects of Vitamin C:
When taken orally, Vitamin C has proved to be quite safe. However, in some cases the possible side effects could be nausea, headache, vomiting and stomach cramps. Taking a dose of more than 2000 mg per day can prove to be very harmful. For pregnant and breastfeeding women, taking a higher amount can cause problems for the newborn baby.
Dosage of Vitamin C:
People suffering from Scurvy need to take a dosage of 100-250 mg per day.
People suffering from common cold need a dosage of 1-3 grams per day.
The RDA’s allotted for Vitamin C are as follows:
Children, aged 1-3 years: 15 mg
Children aged 4-8 years: 25 mg
Children aged 9-13 years: 45 mg
Teenagers aged 14-18 years: 75 mg for boys and 65 mg for girls
Adult men: 90 mg
Adult women: 75 mg
2015-01-12 17:53:52
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answer #5
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answered by Refadoc 1
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vitamin c and skin
2014-11-16 14:40:01
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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vitamin c help ur bones
2007-12-30 13:05:27
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answer #7
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answered by Drake J. 2
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Supports your immune system.
Keeps you from getting sick.
2007-12-30 13:00:13
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answer #8
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answered by Captain Skippy 2
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it helps strengthen your immune system and you don't get sick as easily as you would if you didn't take it
2007-12-30 13:05:40
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answer #9
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answered by lena c 2
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it stregnthens your immune system
2007-12-30 13:00:26
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answer #10
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answered by Anonymous
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