
Bone. Vitamin C is required to make collagen, the primary protein in the body. Collagen is used in the formation of skin, organs, cartilage, and bone. So in addition to improving skin tone, research shows vitamin C to reduce the risk of bone fractures.
Mood. Did you know that one of the first signs of vitamin C deficiency is irritability? Vitamin C is used to manufacture important mood-enhancing neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. In Montreal, a recent study found that taking 1,000mg of vitamin C daily led to significant reductions in anger, anxiety, and depression.
Energy. Fatigue is another indicator of vitamin C depletion, according to the National Institutes of Health. Your body needs vitamin C to make L-carnitine, which helps burn fat for energy. (Yay, another healthy way to burn fat!) In one study, only 6 grams of vitamin C daily reduced fatigue by almost one-third in 44 workers.
Heart Health. Dr. Linus Pauling, two-time Nobel laureate and research pioneer on vitamin C, says heart disease is a manifestation of chronic scurvy and atherosclerotic plaque is a mechanism evolved to patch blood vessels and arteries damaged by chronic vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C also prevents coronary artery disease, strengthens blood vessel walls, and improves the arteries ability to widen when more blood is needed.
Cancer Prevention. Vitamin C can significantly reduce levels of oxidative stress. The more stress we are under, emotional or physical such as cold and flu, the more vitamin C necessary to remain healthy. Vitamin C can help curb the growth of cancer cells according to Professor Vissers in the 2010 Cancer Research Journal. At very high dosages, vitamin C taken intravenously is also known to be able to treat and bring cancer into remission.
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient, which means our bodies do not manufacture it. We must get it from supplements and food. Vitamin C – rich foods include broccoli, tomatoes, strawberries and citrus fruits such as lemons, pink grapefruit, and oranges.