Description:
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is required for healthy tissue
growth and repair, proper adrenal gland function, and healthy gums.
It is also an important nutrient for the production of white blood
cells. It is needed for proper metabolism of folic acid, tyrosine
- an amino acid, and phenylalanine - another amino acid. Vitamin
C protects against the harmful effects of pollution, another environmental
toxins. It also increases the absorption of iron. Recent research
indicates that vitamin C works together with vitamin E. They then
have a better effect than when taken alone. These vitamins reinforce
and extend each other's antioxidant activity. A deficiency of vitamin
C may lead to scurvy. More common symptoms are: poor wound healing,
bleeding gums, edema, extreme weakness, frequently appearing black
and blue marks, and susceptibility to colds and infections.
Complimentary Nutrients:
Calcium, magnesium, bioflavonoids, vitamin E, and all vitamins
and minerals..
Antagonists:
Stress, alcohol, analgesics, antibiotics, smoking, high fever,
antidepressants, anticoagulants, oral contraceptives, aspirin, cortisone,
and steroids.
Health Benefits:
Shock and infection resistance, iodine conservation, adrenal glands,
capillary walls, connective tissue in skin, ligaments, and bones,
gums, heart, teeth, blood, collagen production, fine bone and tooth
formation, healing of burns and wounds, red blood cell formation,
and vitamin protection.
Therapeutic Uses:
Arthritis, baldness, drug addiction, alcoholism, atherosclerosis,
hepatitis, high cholesterol, colds, cystitis, hypoglycemia, heart
disease, allergies, insect bites, prickly heat, sinusitis,
stress, and tooth decay.
Vitamin Therapies should be done with the supervision of a qualified
health care professional. In the panel on the left, under ailments
you can find more information about treatments for some of these
conditions. You can also locate therapeutic information on this
site by using the search engine - click on 'Search' in the panel
on your left - and entering words relating to the ailment you are
interested in.
Deficiency Indicators:
Shortness of breath, anemia, low infection resistance, capillary
wall ruptures - bruise easily, dental cavities, bleeding gums, nosebleeds,
and poor digestion.
Dosage:
| RDA |
Optimal Health |
Therapeutic Amounts |
| 60 mg (males), 60 mg (females) |
2000 mg |
2500-7500 mg |
RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) are dosages developed by the
FDA. These amounts are designed to prevent deficiency symptoms.
For optimal health it is necessary to take a larger dose. The optimal
health amounts are for adults and children weighing over 100 lbs.
Children under the age of six should be given nutritional formulas
designed specifically for young children. The therapeutic amounts
to treat special conditions are usually much higher, and should
not be taken without the supervision of a qualified health care
professional.
Sources:
Vitamin c is found in berries, citrus fruit, green vegetables,
broccoli, green peas, sweet potato, red peppers, tomatoes, watercress,
and in general from fresh fruits and vegetables. Here are some examples.
| Food |
Amount |
MG |
| orange juice |
1 cup |
125 |
| cooked broccoli |
1 cup |
140 |
| green peppers |
1 cup |
100 |
