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Vitamins
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Vitamin C
Vitamin D
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What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) assists the body in the production of collagen, a basic
component of connective tissues. Collagen is an important structural element in
blood vessel walls, gums, and bones, making it particularly important to those
recovering from wounds and surgery.

Vitamin C also acts as an antioxidant, scavenging potentially harmful molecules

called free radicals. Although not firmly established by clinical trials, this
antioxidant capacity may help boost immune function, protect against cancer,
cataracts, age-related macular degeneration of the retina, and other chronic
diseases. Vitamin C intake may be particularly helpful to smokers, as they are more
likely to suffer from oxidative stress and cell damage that can deplete vitamin C.
Vitamin C also enhances iron absorption.

Where can you get Vitamin C?

Vitamin C is obtainable from many types of fruits and vegetables. In dietary

supplements, it typically is sold in the form of ascorbic acid, calcium ascorbate
(Ester-C�), sodium ascorbate, or a combination of these forms.
Are some types of Orange Juice better than others?

The Journal of American Dietetic Association reports that frozen concentrates of

orange juice contained significantly more vitamin C -- about 86 milligrams per cup
vs. 27-65 milligrams in packaged ready to drink cartons.

Why does frozen orange juice contain more vitamin C?

The pasteurization and packaging processes destroy vitamin C. Also, once a

container of any type was opened, vitamin C in both types of orange juice decreased
by about 2 percent a day. A

Vitamin C and Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a major risk factor in cardiovascular disease. Vitamin C

(ascorbic acid) has been shown to lower blood pressure and lower the risk of
acquiring cardiovascular disease. In clinical studies, persons with high
bloodstream levels of vitamin C had blood pressures 5 to 10 percent lower than
persons with low levels of vitamin C. Vitamin C is best effective when obtained
naturally through citrus fruits and vegetables.

How does Vitamin C Help?

Vitamin C is a very important nutrient. Vitamin C may work against high blood
pressure (hypertension), by protecting levels of nitric oxide, a natural chemical
in the body that helps relax blood vessels. Vitamin C promotes healthy teeth and
gums, helps in the absorption of iron, aids in the maintenance of normal connective
tissue, and promotes wound healing. It also helps the body's immune system.

Vitamin C Deficiency

Lack of vitamin C can lead to a condition called scurvy, which causes muscle
weakness, swollen and bleeding gums, loss of teeth, and bleeding under the skin, as
well as tiredness and depression. Vitamin C deficiency also causes wounds to heal
slowly.

Individuals who are likely to be vitamin c deficient are people suffering from:

�AIDS
�Alcoholism
�Burns
�Cancer
�Diarrhea (prolonged)
�Fever (prolonged)
�Infection (prolonged)
�Intestinal diseases
�Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
�Stomach ulcer
�Stress(continuing)
�Surgical removal of stomach
�Tuberculosis
�Infants receiving unfortified formulas
�Smokers
�Patients using an artificial kidney (on hemodialysis)
�Patients who undergo surgery
�Individuals who are exposed to long periods of cold temperatures
Which foods have Vitamin C?
Foods that are rich in Vitamin C are broccoli, strawberries, citrus fruits, green
peppers, brussels sprouts, honeydew, and cantaloupe.
Other benefits of Vitamin C
Large doses of vitamin C:

�Will break down alcoholic substances more rapidly in the body.

�Lowers the risk of stroke.
�Aides in teeth and bone formation, bone fracture and wound healing.
�Reduces the histamine levels in the body, which trigger allergy and asthma
attacks.
�Increases resistance to infections and other diseases. Lowers blood sugar and
insulin requirements.
�Can reduce dangerous blood levels of lead, a condition that can harm neurological
development in children.
Risks of too much Vitamin C
High doses can cause kidney stones, diarrhea and nausea.

Vitamin C Substance Interactions

The effect of vitamin C is decreased by aspirin, tobacco, barbiturates, mineral
oil, oral contraceptives, salicylates, sulfa drugs and tetracyclines. Vitamin C
will decrease the effect of Anti-cholinergics, oral anticoagulants and copper.

Good Information about Vitamin C

A study in the Journal of Epidemiology (May, 1992) was reported to show that people
who have high blood levels of vitamin C live 6 years longer than those who have
lower blood levels.

Maintain your Vitamin C

The body eliminates vitamin C in about 12 hours so distribute your intake

throughout the day.