Citrus and other water-soluble fruits and vegetables contain vitamin C, commonly referred to as ascorbic acid and ascorbate, which is also available as a nutritional supplement. Vitamin C was the first vitamin to be chemically manufactured in 1933. It was first found in 1912, then isolated in 1928. It is listed as one of the Essential Medicines by the World Health Organization. Over-the-counter and affordable generic analogues of vitamin C are both readily available.
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| Citrus, a rich source of Vitamin C |
Vitamin C; A miraculous substance for body
Animals (including humans) need vitamin C as a cofactor in numerous enzymatic processes that mediate a number of crucial biological processes, such as collagen formation and wound healing.
Although vitamin C is an essential vitamin, your body
can't make it on its own. However, it plays a variety of roles and has been
connected to remarkable health advantages.
Numerous fruits and vegetables, such as oranges,
strawberries, kiwi fruit, bell peppers, broccoli, kale, and spinach contain
this water-soluble substance.
75 mg of vitamin C for women and 90 mg for men should
be consumed daily.
Although it's generally recommended to acquire your
vitamin C through food sources, many people rely on supplements to fill their
needs. Because it is water soluble, vitamin C is not stored by the body. People
must regularly eat foods containing vitamin C in order to maintain optimal
amounts of the vitamin.
The body requires vitamin C for a number of processes.
Here are a few examples:
It aids in the body's production of L-carnitine,
certain neurotransmitters, and collagen.
As an antioxidant, it aids in the removal of harmful
molecules from the body known as reactive oxidative species (ROS).
It aids iron absorption in the body.
Increased immune function.
It speeds up wound recovery.
Free radicals and other compounds known as ROS are
by-products of normal biological functions, pollution exposure, and other
reasons. They might result in oxidative stress, which might damage cells.
For a number of reasons,
vitamin C may be beneficial for cardiovascular health. According to studies, it
might:
possess antioxidant
properties
increase blood vessel
size
increase the synthesis of
nitric oxide
This may offer protection
against high blood pressure and heart disease.
The production of
neurotransmitters and cognitive function are both impacted by vitamin C.
According to studies, vitamin C may be linked to improved brain function since
neurotransmitters are crucial for communicating messages from the brain to the
body.
Some medical specialists
advise taking vitamin C supplements along with iron tablets to boost iron
absorption in patients with iron deficiency anaemia. Vitamin C increases the
absorption of iron.
Vitamin C can help
decrease the progression of age-related macular degeneration and reduce the
risk of acquiring cataracts (AMD). In particular, earlier studies discovered
that supplementing with 500 mg daily delayed the disease's progression in those
with moderate AMD, probably due to its antioxidant qualities.
Vitamin C deficiency is
quite uncommon and mostly affects individuals who are undernourished. Scurvy,
which is characterised by anaemia, bruising, bleeding, and loose teeth, can
develop in severe cases.
Sources:
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