Vitamin C Benefits and Why You Need it for Good Health

Vitamin C is one of the most talked about vitamins in the world of vitamins. Advertising campaigns sell a number of vitamin C products, all boasting the health benefits of taking this immunity boosting vitamin. Vitamin C has some amazing health benefits when included as a regular part of the diet. In fact, not including recommended daily doses of vitamin C can even be fatal, such as was the case for many during the 18th and 19th Centuries who fell victim to scurvy. Today, most people in developed countries are easily able to include vitamin C as a regular part of their diets.

The Many Benefits of Vitamin C

Vitamin C is known to be an effective antioxidant. This protects cells from free radical damage, which can be caused by a number of environmental toxins. Cigarette smokers are especially at risk for free radical damage and the recommended daily intake of vitamin C is 35 mg higher for smokers.

Vitamin C is also thought to help prevent many chronic diseases. Though research has not confirmed the exact amounts of vitamin C necessary to prevent certain diseases, it has shown positive effects in those who have enough vitamin C in their daily diet. Cardiovascular disease, strokes, cancer, cataracts, lead level reduction, and gout are some of the diseases/conditions which may be affected by vitamin C.

One of the most known benefits of vitamin C is the power boost it can give the immune system. Vitamin C works to stimulate the functioning and production of white blood cells in the body, which serve to ward off and fight infections. Viral infections and the common cold are often thought to be prevented or controlled with vitamin C intake.

How to Get Enough Vitamin C in Your Diet

Vitamin C is readily available over-the-counter in supplement form. A number of lozenges and cold remedy or cold prevention products also contain vitamin C. Chewable vitamin C tablets are often a common form of the vitamin C supplement.

The easiest way to get enough vitamin C in your diet is to include it by eating foods high in vitamin C. The most known fruit and fruit juice for vitamin C is oranges and orange juice. Grapefruit, red peppers, broccoli, strawberries, potatoes, and tomatoes are also good sources of vitamin C. Adding a glass of orange juice to your everyday breakfast can just about guarantee a healthy daily dose of vitamin C.

During cold and flu season and with the onset of a viral infection, many people choose to add additional amounts of vitamin C to their diets to help ward off symptoms or to decrease the duration of illness. Research supports the benefits of vitamin C on the immune system, but the amount of extra vitamin C needed to make a significant difference is still not fully understood. Adding the recommended amounts of vitamin C to your diet may, however, serve to protect and strengthen the immune system.