words Al Woods
Almost everyone knows that when you get a cold you should take more vitamin C. But if that’s all you think that this essential nutrient can do, you are missing out on amazing health-boosting benefits.
Your body is amazing and while it can effectively convert vitamin A into vitamin D and create niacin from the amino acid tryptophan, your body cannot produce its own vitamin C. This means that you either need to consume foods high in vitamin C or you need to take a supplement. As you look for ideas to help you develop healthy habits, consider these 8 surprising benefits of vitamin C.
Younger Looking Skin
People are constantly looking for the fountain of youth. And while this quest has led to the formation of a multi-billion-dollar beauty industry, the most effective products are actually food and supplements. Women line up for Botox, plastic surgery, and pour thousands of dollars into creams and lotions. Proper nutrition including adequate vitamin C intake goes a long way. And when you’re looking at topical creams and skincare products, try a vitamin C serum. By focusing on your skin health from both the inside and outside you’ll get better results and younger looking skin.
Increases Iron Uptake
Many people who are anemic may also benefit from higher vitamin C levels. It turns out that vitamin C taken alongside iron will improve the uptake of iron either from food or supplements. By taking both together you’ll get all the benefits of vitamin C and work toward improving your iron levels.
Improved Fertility
Ladies and gentlemen, if you’re trying to have a baby, you might want to consider increasing your intake of vitamin C. The antioxidant qualities help make vitamin C a useful supplement on your baby making journey.
Helps Fight Cancer
High doses of vitamin C infusions when administered with other treatments make things like chemotherapy more effective and can reduce the symptoms that come with cancer treatments. Some studies show that these doses can be effective even when combined with lower doses of conventional cancer treatments. Additionally, the antioxidant nature of vitamin C makes it an effective anti-cancer nutrient.
Better Heart Health
More and more emphasis has been put on improving heart health in recent years. One of the ways to enhance your heart health is to reduce your oxidative stress. Doctors often emphasize the need for eating more fruits and vegetables, heart healthy fats, meats, and reducing sugar intake. But recent findings show that vitamin C intake is effective at reducing the stress that can lead to heart disease.
Reduces Inflammation
Some people experience chronic inflammation in their bodies as a result of an unhealthy immune system. Take arthritis for instance. The body starts to mistake joint cells for harmful pathogens and attacks those cells leading to an inflammatory response in the body. Increased vitamin C intake improves the immune system and can lead to a reduction in inflammation in the joints.
May Help Improve Gout Symptoms
Gout is a condition caused by an increase in uric acid levels. This increase leads to painful swelling in the joints. Gout attacks can come and go and the main approach by doctors has been to prescribe medications and diet to help control a patient’s gout. The addition of vitamin C can be extremely effective in reducing gout attacks and in some cases preventing it in high-risk individuals. Men are more prone to developing gout. Additionally, those who drink alcohol or consume too much meat can also be at risk of gout.
Quickens Bone Healing
When you have a broken bone, you want to get back to living as quickly as possible. Vitamin C is effective at helping bones heal more quickly. It acts as a cofactor for bone growth by promoting the development of collagen. Collagen is the primary protein contained within joints and bones. By consuming vitamin C in larger amounts after a bone break, alongside vitamin D, you can speed up healing and get back to your normal life activities.
It’s incredible what this one essential nutrient can do. Whether you get it from an ascorbic acid supplement or consume more oranges, lemons, kiwi, broccoli, cantaloupe, strawberries, and even cabbage, you’ll get all these amazing health benefits. Start adding vitamin C rich foods to your regular diet starting today.
