Vitamin C Deficiency

For the most part people these days don't usually imagine being undersupplied in vitamin C. There are many accessible sources we have access to that it doesn't develop into a second thought. From citrus fruits to pills, C is promoted constantly, specially in the chilly months. Nevertheless are you in actuality ingesting all the C necessary?

The only symptoms most people are familiar with when it comes to C deficiency are those associated with scurvy. Collagen is the glue that holds cells together, without vitamin C collagen is too weak to perform its task. This can lead to Most animals can synthesize their own C, we can't. Our body can only use so much at once and once it's used up, we need to replenish. That is why sailors on long voyages, explorers, and soldiers separated from C sources were prone to this disease.

Thanks to the discovery and isolation of vitamin C we do not have to worry as much about major C deficiencies. In spite of this, C deficiency does exist and has symptoms. Weakness, poor healing of wounds, anemia, swollen gums, and nosebleeds are common signs of mild vitamin C deficiency. Other signs that you have a shortage of C are water retention also known as edema, weakness lack of energy poor digestion, painful joints, bronchial infection and frequent colds. Another thing to think about, low vitamin C in your body can have the same effects as depression and has been misdiagnosed as such.

Vitamin C is measured in food sources by a scientific process called titration. This is a process of volumetric analysis used to find out how much vitamin C is concentrated in a vitamin source. By taking the vitamin source, either food, pill, liquid or any other source, straining and dissolving it and subjecting what's left to a test called a redox reaction. This is based on an oxidizing agent and a reducing agent, in this case iodine, and watching a reaction occur. As the C and iodine come together they turn blue. As more reactant is added the color goes away, thus giving the formula needed to determine the C content.

Findind out how much C to take changes by who you talk to. The Recommended Daily Allowance is 45mg for children ages 4-16 and 75mg to 90mg for adults. Sadly, most people do not get even these minimal amounts. For optimal antioxidant protection, studies have shown we need to ingest at least 500mg per day. Quite a bit more than the RDA.More C is needed for those who are exposed to pollution regularly, have a high stress level, who are older, smoke or are around smokers, have a family history of heart disease or cancer, low physical activity, are exposed to the sun a lot or have any heavy contact with other forms of free radicals in their daily lives.

What about those who study vitamin C, how much do they take? Dr. Albert Szent won the Nobel prize in 1937 for isolating pure vitamin C. He took 1,000mg until his 80's when he started taking 2,000mg a day because he felt older people needed more. One of the most influential chemists in history, certainly in the 20th century, Linus Pauling, suggested anywhere from 450mg to 4,500mg and even up to 10,000mg per day. In his 90's he took 18,000mg per day. Bruce Miller, D.D.S., C.N.S., the author of Antioxidants Made Simple, takes 4,000mg per day and more if he feels a cold coming on.

How is it that these people take so much C without problems? C is a water-soluble vitamin that can not be stored by the body. Once our bodies use it up we need to replenish. What our bodies do not use gets flushed our of our system. That is why it is important to have a consistent intake and why it is not possible to overdose.

How much should you take? 100mg to 500mg a day is a good place to start. Taking at least 500mg a day will give you the most benefit. As you can see, some of the people who know C best have taken more than 10,000mg per day and had no adverse side effects.Of course if you are going to take a lot of C you should spread it out through the day, too much at once can cause diarrhea and stomach upset. You will want to talk to your doctor if you are taking nitrate medications; huge quantities of C can make them less effective.

Eating fresh fruits and veggies are a great way to get this vitamin, just plan on eating a lot throughout the day. Common sources include papaya, red bell peppers, tomatoes, hot green chilies, broccoli, cauliflower, oranges and all citrus fruits, strawberries, parsley, kale, mustard greens, spinach, cabbage, cantaloupe, watermelon, winter squash, onions, oregano, garlic and certain raw organ meats such as liver and heart. Being creative in how you eat can inspire you to stay on the path to better health.To get the most benefit from C you should include as many of these foods as possible into your regular diet along with taking a high-quality C supplement.

I hope you found this information on the signs of vitamin C deficienciesinteresting. When you take a vitamin C supplement you can be certain you are getting all the benefits of C to fight deficiencies. You can get all the C you need to keep your body healthy with Shaklee products. We have several options to choose from; a timed release tablet, a delicious chewable vitamin c tablet if you don't like swallowing pills, or our iron with vitamin c. If you would like more information click this link for the benefits of vitamin C.