The Amazing Benefits of Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that is necessary for normal growth and development. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water. Leftover amounts of the vitamin leave the body through the urine. That means you need a continuous supply of such vitamins in your diet.

The body does not manufacture vitamin C on its own, nor does it store it. It is therefore important to include plenty of vitamin C-containing foods in your daily diet. It is recommended that adults 19 and over get 2000 mg of Vitamin C each day.

Too little Vitamin C can lead to signs and symptoms of deficiency, including:

Dry and splitting hair
Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums)
Bleeding gums
Rough, dry, scaly skin
Decreased wound-healing rate
Easy bruising
Nosebleeds
Weakened tooth enamel
Swollen and painful joints
Anemia
Decreased ability to fight infection
Possible weight gain because of slowed metabolism

A diet full of Vitamin C rich fruits and vegetables may lower your risks of bladder, esophagus, stomach, and lung cancers. Even though more research is needed to find out which compounds in fruits and veggies do the trick, researchers say the association is strong.

One of the most intensely studied areas of Vitamin C benefits is in the area of cardiovascular health. Researchers are finding that Vitamin C impacts several aspects of cardiac health, ranging from blood pressure to endothelial health. Perhaps it’s not surprising that as the relationship between oxidative damage, inflammation, and atherosclerosis becomes increasingly investigated by science, Vitamin C is seen as a key protective element against many aspects of cardiovascular disease.

For years, scientists have warned us against the dangerous buildup of plaque that can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Researchers are investigating the possibilities that vitamin C may play a role in reducing our risk of plaque buildup.

So at your next trip to the drug store, stop by the vitamin aisle and pick up a bottle of Vitamin C.

Vitamin of the Week - Grape Seed Complex

This week I have chosen Grape Seed Complex with Resveratrol. This herbal supplement provides antioxidant support against free radicals.

What is it? Grape Seed Extract is a concentration of the pure oligomeric proanthocyanidins found in grape seeds and skins. The extraction method used to obtain Grape Seed Extract also ensures that it is free from solvent residues contributing to its side effects free status. Grape Seed Extract contains powerful, natural, bioflavonoid complexes, which are rapidly absorbed and distributed throughout the body. In vitro, the antioxidant power of Grape Seed Extract is 50 times greater than vitamin E and 20 times greater than vitamin C.

What is it made of? Unlike other products on the market that contain only oligomeric proanthocyanidins, Grapeseed Extract with Resveratrol contains standardized levels of resveratrol, an extract that comes from grapes, vines and other plants without side effects. Whole grape extracts contain a spectrum of polyphenols that are naturally contained in red wine such as proanthocyandins, anthocyanins, and flavonoids, that have been found by researchers to possess certain properties important in maintaining the effects of optimal health.

Dosage and Use: One to two capsules daily with or without food are suggested.

This is a great addition to your antioxidant regimen.