Did You Know Just That Many Cancers Are Linked To A Vitamin Deficiency?
Vitamin
C Overview:
Overview
Participates in oxidation-reduction reactions...
Benefits
May prevent or reduce symptoms of the common cold &
infections...
Natural
Sources
Orange juice, lemons, guave, tangerines...
How
to Use
Oral tablets, time release formulas, orange juice...
Cautions
Consult your doctor if you have kidney stones...
Deficiency
Muscle weakness, swollen gums, loss of teeth, tiredness...
Overdose
Flushed face, headache, increased urination, lower abdominal
cramps...
Side
Effects
Headache - Call Doctor Immediately...
Interactions
Tobacco decreases absorption...
Overview:
Vitamin C is essential for the manufacturing of collagen,
necessary for tissue repair. It is needed for metabolism
of phenylalanine, tyrosine, folic acid, iron. Vitamin C
is also vital for healthy immune and nervous systems because
it strengthens blood vessels, as it is an antioxidant that
participates in oxidation-reduction reactions. Also, it
is required for utilizing carbohydrates and synthesizing
fats and proteins.
How This Vitamin Works in Your Body:
Vitamin C is one of the most crucial vitamins in your body
for the very fact that plays a large role in hundreds of
the body’s functions.
The most
plentiful tissue in the body is collagen, which is a connective
tissue. The primary role of Vitamin C is to help this connective
tissue. Because collagen is the defense mechanism against
disease and infection, and because Vitamin C helps build
collagen, it makes sense that it is also a remedy for scurvy
by contributes to hemoglobin production. It promotes the
production of red-blood-cell in bone marrow. Ascorbic Acid
also supports healthy capillaries, gums, teeth, and even
helps heal wounds, burns, and broken tissues. It contributes
to hemoglobin and red-blood-cell production in bone marrow
while even preventing blood clots. The list goes on. It
helps heal urinary-tract infections, and helps treat anemia.
Another
large benefit of this vitamin is the fact that it plays
a large role in the production of antibodies. When the immune
system is being overworked, for example when a cold strikes
or when your body is wounded, Vitamin C comes in to play
by beefing up the white blood cell count and function. It
also functions as a promoter of interferon, a compound that
fights cancer. An example of this would be blocking production
of nitrosamines which are thought to be carcinogenic
Other functions of Vitamin C include:
Tthe promotion of iron absorption and calcium absorption.
Aids adrenal gland function
Reduces free-radical production
May reduce cholesterol
Potential protection against heart disease
May prevent allergies
May reduce symptoms of arthritis, skin ulcers, allergic
reactions
Possible relief of herpes infections of eyes and genitals
May prevent periodontal disease
May reduce toxic effect of alcohol and drugs
May promote healing of bed sores
May retard aging
May improve male fertility
Additional
Vitamin C may be required for:
Anyone with inadequate caloric or nutritional dietary intake.
People receiving kidney dialysis.
People over 55 years of age.
Those with recent burns or injuries.
Users of alcohol or tobacco
Those with a chronic illness, such as hyperthyroidism, AIDS,
cold exposure, acute illness with fever, or tuberculosis.
People with infection.
Those under prolonged periods of stress.
Post surgery patients.
Those who are continually exposed to toxins.
Where
This Vitamin is Found:
Fruits
Grapefruit
Guava
Lemons
Mangos
Orange juice
Tomatoes
Strawberries
Vegetables
Black currants
Broccoli Oranges
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage Peppers, sweet and hot
Collards Potatoes
Green peppers
Kale
Papayas
Rose hips
Spinach
Tangerines
Watercress
How
to Use:
Consume fresh fruits lightly cooked or raw.
Steaming vegetables may reduce Vitamin C concentration.
Leaving food exposed to light and air may decease concentration.
Available
as:
Liquid: the best form due to its high bioavailability and
fast absorption. Always choose liquid as your first choice
when supplementing your diet.
Tablets: taking 1.5 hours after a meal is generally recommended.
Effervescent is also available.
Injectable forms are available from your doctor.
Cautions:
Consult your doctor if you have:
Gout
Kidney stones
Sickle-cell anemia
Iron storage disease
Over
55:
Intake of specific vitamins may decrease as you age, therefore
extra supplementation may be necessary.
Side effects are more frequent.
Pregnancy:
Do not take doses greater than RDA.
Choose a prenatal multivitamin with Vitamin C because bone
development, teeth, and tissue formation of the fetus are
developing.
Megadoses during pregnancy may result in deficiency symptoms
after birth.
Breastfeeding:
Continue prenatal vitamins.
Storage:
Heat and/or moisture may alter the vitamin. Refrigeration
is recommended.
Symptoms
of Deficiency:
Prolonged healing of wounds
Easy bruising
Frequent infections
Prolonged colds
Scurvy: weak muscles, fatigue, loss of teeth, bleeding gums,
depression, bleeding beneath the skin
Swollen or painful joints
Nosebleeds
Anemia: tired, paleness
Overdose:
Signs of Overdose:
Overdose of oral forms: headache, increased urination, flushed
face, nausea or vomiting, lower abdominal cramps, diarrhea.
May feel like the flu or common cold.
Injectable forms may result in dizziness or fainting. :
Discontinue vitamin and consult doctor immediately.
Dial 911 or 0 or Poison Control Center immediately.
Side
Effects:
Reaction or effect : What to do
Anemia : Discontinue. Call doctor immediately.
Flushed face : Discontinue. Call doctor when convenient.
Headache : Discontinue. Call doctor when convenient.
Increased frequency of urination : Discontinue. Call doctor
when convenient.
Lower abdominal cramps : Seek emergency treatment
Mild diarrhea : Decrease dose. Call doctor when convenient.
Nausea or vomiting : Seek emergency treatment.
Rebound scurvy-like symptoms : Call doctor when convenient
If you decide to reduce dose, do so
gradually to prevent deficiency symptoms.
Interactions:
Interacts with : Combined effect
Aminosalicylic acid (PAS for tuberculosis) : Increases chance
of formation of drug crystals in urine.
Large doses of vitamin C must be taken to produce this effect.
Anticholinergics : Decreases anticholinergic effect.
Anticoagulants (oral) : Decreases anticoagulant effect
Aspirin : Decreases vitamin-C effect.
Barbiturates : Decreases vitamin-C effect. Increases barbiturate
effect.
Calcium : Assists in absorption of calcium.
Copper : Decreases absorption of copper. Large doses of
vitamin C must be taken to produce this effect.
Iron supplements : Increases iron effect.
Quinidine : Decreases quinidine effect.
Salicylates : Decreases vitamin-C effect
Sulfa drugs : Decreases vitamin-C effect. May cause kidney
stones.
Tetracyclines : Decreases vitamin-C effect.
Tobacco/Alcohol : Decrease absorption of vitamin.
http://www.vitamins-nutrition.org/vitamins-guide/vitamin-c-ascorbic-acid.html
