Vitamin C is one of the most popular vitamins and for a good reason. It has multiple benefits for our overall health, including our physical, mental and emotional health. It is used both as medicine and for preventative reasons. The best sources of vitamin C are vegetables and fruits, but it can be taken as a supplement as well, with 75 – 90mg being the recommended daily doses for adults. If too much vitamin C is taken, there are usually no negative symptoms. Our body utilizes vitamin C in many ways, and in this article, we present some of the most common ones.
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Wounds heal faster
It has been found that vitamin C helps speed the healing of wounds of the soft tissues. It promotes the development of scar tissue since it helps collagen synthesis which is very important for growing new skin. Apart from that, it is one of the most potent anti-oxidants and it protects our cells from the damage caused by free radicals. It is beneficial in healing and repairing bones, cartilage and teeth as well.
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Immune system gets a boost
Everybody resorts to vitamins C first when they need to boost their immune system quickly. Vitamin C promotes the growth of white blood cells at an increased rate and they are essential in fighting off infections. That is why an increased intake of vitamin C is recommended in supporting the immune system and preventing viral diseases. Simply making sure we eat citrus fruits, berries and veggies like broccoli regularly will provide enough vitamin C, but we might consider adding supplements in the winter.
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Growth is enhanced
Studies have shown that vitamin C strongly promotes the secretion of the human growth hormone (HGH). This means that it is essential in the formation of proteins that help tissues grow, including ligaments, skin, blood vessels and tendons. Just like it promotes their growth, it highly supports their repair and regeneration.
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Hair stays healthy
One of the first signs of vitamin C deficiency is hair that is splitting and dry. When we take enough of this beneficial vitamin, our hair stays strong, well nourished and it has enough moisture in it to prevent breakage and dryness. It also prevents or slows down graying of hair and hair loss, it fights dandruff and improves blood circulation in the capillaries of the scalp thus promoting the growth of stronger, thicker hair.
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Our skin looks younger
Vitamin C increases the production of collagen which is crucial for healthy skin as it is the material from which blood vessels are made and these carry nutrients and oxygen just under the skin. Vitamin C plays an important role here since our skin thickens, regenerates itself and gets a plump look from getting enough moisture and circulation. On the other hand, collagen deficiency makes our skin lifeless and saggy and wrinkles, freckles and sun spots might appear. Our skin looks much more aged if we have a vitamin C deficiency. That is why a highly moisturizing vitamin C cream is very beneficial for our skin and it is our trustworthy partner in keeping our skin look fresh and young. It protects us from the effects of aging, sun exposure, and skin discolouration.
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Heart disease risk is lower
Vitamin C prevents cholesterol from oxidizing and thus it prevents stroke. It also prevents the formation of plaque in the arteries, so free radicals can’t damage the artery walls. It has also been found that it lowers systolic blood pressure, and even supports medications for lowering blood pressure. Our body uses vitamin C to keep heart disease at bay and this is one of the easiest and simplest ways to lower the risk of strokes.
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Stress and depression are relieved
The benefits of proper intake of vitamin C are not only physical – it is very important for our emotional and mental wellbeing as well. Our psychological responses are dependent on the health of our brain and vitamin C is certainly at the top of the list when it comes to healthy brain function. It acts as a natural tranquilizer and reduces the levels of anxiety and stress. Studies have shown that people who take recommended amounts of vitamin C do not show symptoms of stress. This is also true when it comes to depression, but more research needs to be done in order to see if depression could be treated naturally, by simply increasing the amounts of vitamins we take, including vitamin C.
In conclusion, vitamin C can only be beneficial for you in various ways, so you should try and provide your body with enough of it for optimal health. It is always the best to get it from organic fruits and veggies, but if you can’t meet your daily recommended values, you can add vitamin C supplements.