Vitamin C -A brief discussion

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Vitamin C: An antioxidant:-

                                Vitamin C is an essential vitamin. Free radicals damage our body cells, enzymes, and proteins. They alter DNA. They enable cholesterol to stick to our artery walls. Free radicals are produced from breathing polluted air, smog, vehicle exhaust, tobacco smoke, drinking alcohol, and eating fatty foods. Even our personal life such as stress, tension, mental illness, our lifestyles such as our sleeping patterns, and bad habits all combine to contribute to our body becoming a hub of free radicals. 

Anti-oxidants are intimately involved in the prevention of cellular damage--the common pathway for cancer, ageing, and a variety of diseases. Free radicals are groups of atoms with an odd number of electrons and can be formed when oxygen interacts with certain molecules. Once formed these highly reactive radicals can start a chain reaction. Their chief danger comes from the damage they can do when they react with important components such as DNA, or to the cell membranes. Cells may function poorly or die. To prevent free radical damage the body has a defence system, of antioxidants. Antioxidants, present in many foods are molecules that prevent free radicals from harming healthy tissue. Radicals do play a key role in several biological processes. They play a part in the work of the white blood cells called phagocytes, which eat bacteria and other pathogens in the body. Free radicals are free because they float around until they stabilize and radical in the sense that there are a wide variety of molecules from which they can take an electron. The damage doesn't stop there, however, as the new molecule, say a piece of the cell wall is now missing an electron and has become another electron and has become another free radical. This snowball effect can wreak havoc on health.   Antioxidants are molecules which can safely interact with free radicals and terminate the chain reaction before vital molecules are damaged. Although there are several antioxidant systems within the body that scavenge free radicals one of the principal micronutrients is vitamin C and vitamin E . Our body cannot manufacture the micronutrients so they must be supplied in the diet.   

                                One way to feed the hungry electron-- appetite of free radicals is to eat more antioxidants and our body can control these free radicals with a compound called antioxidants. Antioxidants which are supplied by food and dietary supplements include vitamins A, C, E, beta carotene, the mineral selenium, and many compounds found in fruits and vegetables. Some processes brought by free radicals are inevitable, such as aging but others can be prevented.

                                 Vitamin c must be consumed in food or, supplements because it cannot be made by our bodies. This water-soluble vitamin is essential for many of our body’s systems to function properly. The immune system, in particular, relies on vitamin c, a bioflavonoid, which inhibits the oxidation of this vitamin, making it more useful to the body. The average immune system cannot destroy all free radicals without assistance for this it is highly recommended to eat diet-rich food with multiple free radical scavengers and supplements.

Functions of vitamin C in our body:-

·       Aids in the wound healing

·       Aids in the synthesis of collagen

·       Increases iron absorption from plant-based sources

·       Improves the function of the immune system

·       Decreases adrenal steroid production

·       Decreases rate of gum disease

·       Decreases rate of stomach cancer

·       Decreases risk of heart disease

·       Increases fertility

·       AMD (age-related macular degeneration)

·       Increases good cholesterol

·       Increases nitric oxide

·       Enhances the body’s absorption of Iron

·       Lowers blood pressure

·       Lowers triglycerides

·       Need for progesterone production

·        Reserves the energy-producing capacity of the mitochondria

·       Benefits the immune system by increasing the number of white blood cells and interferons (proteins that can fight viruses and cancer)

·       Reduces damages like diabetes or stiffening tissues due to glycation

·       Lowers sorbitol levels (a cataract preventive)

·       It also helps in the production of the neurotransmitter involved in many important functions  of our brain including mood and appetite.      

n Needed to maintain glutathione levels (which are important for good health).

P prevents some form of lung disease

c Causes of vitamin c deficiency:-

(a) Aging                       (b)  Antibiotics

(c) Asprin(pain killers)    (d) Birth control pills

(e) Cortisone                 (f) Diabetes mellitus

(g) Smoking                  (h) Stress

(i) High fever                (j) High blood pressure

Symptoms of vitamin C deficiency:-

Bleeding gums	Scurvy
Cardiovascular diseases	Loose teeth
Easy bruising	Weight loss
Fatigue	Impaired wound healing
Joint pain	Frequent  infections

vitamin C fruits & Vegetables

Red chili peppers	Papayas	Orange	Acerola cherry
Guavas	Spinach	Cabbage	Broccoli
Kale leaves	Okra	Mustard greens	Mangos
Watercress	Green onions	Tomatoes	Green peas

 Below are some most general conditions truly beneficial

For taking a vitamin C supplement

                          Vitamin C acts as a powerful antioxidant that can strengthen the body’s natural defence. It helps reduce free basic damage The accumulation of free radicals can increase oxidative stress, which increases the risk of chronic disease. Studies have shown that taking vitamin C can increase the level of antioxidants and improve the body's natural defences to fight inflammation.

 

 2. Always keep the heart healthy

                            Vitamin C has a beneficial effect on the management of cholesterol and high blood pressure, which together help reduce the risk of heart disease. If you want to keep your heart healthy, you must eat plenty of vitamins. Eating vitamin C may be beneficial for those who have high blood pressure

 

 3. Iron deficiency will be eliminated

                          People with iron deficiency also need vitamin C The presence of vitamin C facilitates the absorption of iron in the body To make up for the iron deficiency, you should eat foods rich in iron and vitamin C and take a dietary supplement where necessary. Studies have shown that taking 100 mg of vitamin C can improve iron absorption by up to 67%.

 

 4. Effective for fatigue and mood swings

                         If you are constantly tired and in a bad mood, it may be due to vitamin C deficiency. These symptoms can be seen even before a complete deficiency of this vitamin Adequate amounts of vitamin C are needed to keep these symptoms away To solve this problem, you should take vitamin C.

 

 5. Effective to boost immunity

                         Increased immunity is an important reason for the need for this vitamin. Vitamins  C not only help stimulate the production of white blood cells but also enable them to work more efficiently to protect them from damage. It is always recommended to take plenty of vitamin C to boost the immune system.

6. Keeps the mind balanced😇

                        Oxidative stress and inflammation near the brain, create mental illness, and the spinal cord, and nerves affect cognitive function, affect memory, and increase the risk of anxiety and dementia. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant Lack of which can cause low-grade inflammation and lead to the above side effects. free radical damage keeping us healthy.

                         The body doesn't store vitamin c, you need to keep them in your diet all the time to maintain optimal health No matter how careful we are our body is subject to free radical damage. Vitamin C an antioxidant supports the immune system and helps to neutralize free radical damage keeping us healthy.Reduces the risk of chronic disease. Vitamin c is easily absorbed both in food and in pill form and it can enhance the absorption of iron when the two are eaten together

“A vitamin C supplement is a great asset to optimal health”😁