Vital Vitamin C- Sources and Benefits Revealed
Juicy citrus fruits, the common cold, and a skincare must. Just a few of the things that come to mind when you think about Vitamin C. Otherwise known as ascorbic acid, this tiny nutrient is essential for healthy wellbeing.
• Vitamin C
• Sources of Vitamin C
• Why are Vitamin C Levels Depleted?
• Signs & Symptoms of Vitamin C Deficiency
• Vitamin C Supplement
• Vitamin C Benefits
• The Answer
Vitamin C
Sailing the seven seas from pirates to explorers, scurvy was amongst the greatest dread. A lack of vitamin C caused this grave deficiency taking millions with it. Thankfully severe scurvy is a thing of the past in the Western world, however decreased intake of Vitamin C is back on the radar and rising steadily. (1, 2)
Unlike various animals, the human body cannot make ascorbic acid. The main source of vitamin C is found in an array of fruits and vegetables.
Sources of Vitamin C
Strawberries
Citrus fruits
Red & green peppers
Blackcurrants
Broccoli
Kiwifruit
White potatoes
Tomatoes
Why are Vitamin C Levels Depleted?
With so many options to add vitamin C to our daily diet, why are we still seeing depleted levels?
Some believe that poor diet choices are contributing to this. A diet lacking fresh fruit and vegetables may reduce vitamin C uptake. Others argue that it is the fruit and vegetables at the root of the problem. Long-term studies have shown a decline over 79 years in the mineral content of fruit and vegetables. Could it be that moving away from predominantly organic farming practices to industrialised farming has impacted the mineral content of food? It is safe to say further research is needed in this area (1, 3, 4).
Other significant risk factors for Vitamin C deficiency include smoking, increased alcohol intake, and having a restricted diet due to allergies (5).
Signs & Symptoms of Vitamin C Deficiency
Although scurvy is uncommon, we have established that the overall Vitamin C levels in humans are not optimal. Here are some warning signs that may signify Vitamin C deficiency.
Fatigue
Irritability
Low mood
Slow wound healing
Bleeding gums
Vitamin C Supplement
It’s always good to ask why. So far, we have established why our bodies need vitamin C to function optimally. We can see why there may be depleted levels of vitamin C and what the possible causes are. The next question is why I need a vitamin C supplement, and which do I choose from?
You are in luck! At The Wellness Tailor, we recognise your body’s vital needs and tailor our supplements around you. We understand each body is unique, and we have you covered with three unique forms of Vitamin C supplements to choose from.
Vitamin C- Ascorbic Acid Powder
Vitamin C- Magnesium Ascorbate Powder
Vitamin C- Sodium Ascorbate Powder
Vitamin C Benefits
Supports – Vitamin C supports the Immune system
Protects- Vitamin C protects cells from oxidative stress
Maintains- Vitamin C maintains healthy collagen levels
Reduces- Vitamin C reduces tiredness and fatigue
Increases- Vitamin C increases Iron absorption
These are just a few of the benefits of vitamin C, continue reading to dive deeper into this vital nutrient.
Free Radicals
So you are taking more than ‘five a day’, living a healthy lifestyle. But wonder if you are getting enough vitamins and minerals. Even when you are doing everything right to promote your wellbeing, external environmental factors may impact your body. Vitamin C is an antioxidant, protecting cells from the damage of oxidative stress. By supplementing with Vitamin C, you may be a step ahead. Maintaining optimal levels of Vitamin C can contribute to protecting your body from free radical damage (6). Supplementing daily with our Sodium Ascorbate powder ensures your body receives the RDA of vitamin C.
Immune System
Or maybe winter is nearing, you are feeling a little run down, or simply want to keep your body in optimal working order before you are surrounded by sniffles and sneezes. Vitamin C supports the immune system. By enhancing immune cell functions, Vitamin C may be able to prevent and treat both respiratory and systemic infections. Ascorbic acid also supports the immune system during and after strenuous exercise and may reduce the body’s inflammatory response (7,8). Our carefully tailored Magnesium Ascorbate powder is gentle on tummies and suitable for the whole family. It provides gentle support for the immune system.
Collagen
Collagen is a protein that holds us together. Tough and fibrous, it plays an essential role in skin, teeth, bones, cartilage, bold vessels, and connective tissue. So where does vitamin C come in, and why do we need it? Vitamin C and collagen are team players. Ascorbic acid is essential for the production and maintenance of collagen. Studies have shown that supplementing with Vitamin C can improve skin elasticity and appearance, with hints that it may benefit aging skin. And it is the same humble vitamin that assists in wound healing. Evidence is clear that supplementing Vitamin C can be beneficial to healing wounds (9). Try adding our Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid powder to a cool beverage for a daily vitamin boost.
Tiredness & fatigue
We all have off days, lazy days, and days when we don’t have the same energy but consistent tiredness and fatigue may be a wake-up call. A sign of vitamin C deficiency is fatigue. Vitamin C contributes to energy-yielding metabolism, which is vital for the body’s functions and activity. Ensuring you have the recommended amount of Vitamin C daily through diet and supplements can increase mental and physical vitality, promoting positive wellbeing (10). Adding our buffered form of Vitamin C, Magnesium Ascorbate powder into your daily routine may contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
Iron & Vitamin C
Iron is an essential nutrient for a healthy human body. It is a key component of haemoglobin and plays a vital role in the transportation of oxygen around the body and the removal of carbon dioxide waste. A widespread symptom of low iron is anaemia. It is common knowledge we consume iron through meat, heme iron, but we also can obtain it through deep green leafy vegetables such as Swiss chard. Non-heme iron can be difficult to absorb. Vitamin C assists with the absorption of plant-sourced iron, ensuring a satisfactory level within your body (11). Our Ascorbic Acid Powder provides a tangy taste when added to cool fresh water. Try it on the side, with a nutritious breakfast to optimise your body’s requirements.
The Answer
Now we have an understanding of Vitamin C and how vital it is to our bodies. Although we might discover more burning questions, we have answered today’s whys and established the need for a pure and effective supplement.
By providing your body with an adequate diet of vitamins and minerals, you can support your health. Explore our full range of supplements here. Or, try adding one of our carefully tailored Vitamin C supplements to your day to optimise your well-being, body, and mind.
References
1. Carr, A.C.; Rowe, S. Factors Affecting Vitamin C Status and Prevalence of Deficiency: A Global Health Perspective. Nutrients 2020, 12, 1963. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12071963
2. Moritz B, Schmitz AE, Rodrigues ALS, Dafre AL, Cunha MP. The role of vitamin C in stress-related disorders. J Nutr Biochem. 2020 Nov;85:108459. doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2020.108459. Epub 2020 Jul 3. PMID: 32745879.
3. 3.Maxfield L, Crane JS. Vitamin C Deficiency. [Updated 2022 Oct 12]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493187/
4. Anne-Marie Berenice Mayer, Liz Trenchard & Francis Rayns (2022) Historical changes in the mineral content of fruit and vegetables in the UK from 1940 to 2019: a concern for human nutrition and agriculture, International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, 73:3, 315-326, DOI: 10.1080/09637486.2021.1981831
5. Maxfield L, Crane JS. Vitamin C Deficiency. [Updated 2022 Oct 12]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493187/
6. Abdullah M, Jamil RT, Attia FN. Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) [Updated 2023 May 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499877/
7. Carr AC, Maggini S. Vitamin C and Immune Function. Nutrients. 2017 Nov 3;9(11):1211. doi: 10.3390/nu9111211. PMID: 29099763; PMCID: PMC5707683.
8. Righi NC, Schuch FB, De Nardi AT, Pippi CM, de Almeida Righi G, Puntel GO, da Silva AMV, Signori LU. Effects of vitamin C on oxidative stress, inflammation, muscle soreness, and strength following acute exercise: meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials. Eur J Nutr. 2020 Oct;59(7):2827-2839. doi: 10.1007/s00394-020-02215-2. Epub 2020 Mar 11. PMID: 32162041.
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9. Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM. The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health. Nutrients. 2017 Aug 12;9(8):866. doi: 10.3390/nu9080866. PMID: 28805671; PMCID: PMC5579659.
10. Tardy AL, Pouteau E, Marquez D, Yilmaz C, Scholey A. Vitamins and Minerals for Energy, Fatigue and Cognition: A Narrative Review of the Biochemical and Clinical Evidence. Nutrients. 2020 Jan 16;12(1):228. doi: 10.3390/nu12010228. PMID: 31963141; PMCID: PMC7019700.
11. Lynch SR, Cook JD. Interaction of vitamin C and iron. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1980;355:32-44. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1980.tb21325.x. PMID: 6940487.
