The Hidden Truths About Vitamin C
December 23rd, 2010 
Becki Vitamin C truths that “they” don’t want you to know
When possible get your vitamin c from your food
What is the most popular vitamin in the entire world? Here’s a hint-it’s an essential vitamin!
Today’s vitamin is… vitamin C. Popular in the winter season, as most people believe it helps fight the common cold. FALSE!
In many carefully controlled studies it has been shown to play an insignificant role, if any at all in preventing colds.
Why all the hype?
- Vitamin C is an antioxidant.
- Restores Vitamin E to it’s active form.
- Synthesizes collagen (it helps heal wounds, maintains bone and teeth, strengthens blood vessel walls).
- Strengthens resistance to infection and helps the body to absorb iron.
Where do you get Vitamin C from? Your best sources for vitamin C are from citrus fruits, cabbage type vegetables (such as brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and broccoli). Also, tomatoes, potatoes, bell peppers, lettuce, cantaloupe, strawberries (YUM!), mangoes, and papayas.
What happens if you don’t get enough? Good question-you could develop scurvy, anemia, depression, frequent infections, bleeding gums. You could also experience loosened teeth, pinpoint hemorrhages, muscle degeneration, and rough skin. Don’t forget about bone fragility, poor wound healing and hysteria.
What happens if you get too much? You may experience nausea, abdominal cramps, and/or diarrhea (ewwww!). It’s not uncommon to have a headache, fatigue, insomnia, hot flashes, and an increased risk for developing kidney stones.
So now the famous question, how much is enough? The upper level of vitamin C for an adult is 2000 mg per day. Men should take the minimum of 90 mg/day, and women should take the minimum of 75 mg/day.
Now, go tell spread the word that vitamin C is not going to cure them of the common cold.
Photo: abcdz2000 via sxc
Posted in 
Tags: You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
9 Responses to “The Hidden Truths About Vitamin C”
Leave a Reply
Is working out six days a week not realistic with your schedule? Does the thought of eating tofu or boiled chicken breast make you gag?
PhitZone can help. We call it Real Life Fitness. We are your voice in this crazy fitness world.
Sign up for our updates below, and I’ll send you some stuff that definitely doesn’t suck.
Stay Informed
December 23, 2010 at 10:47 am
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Todd Boyer, Todd Boyer. Todd Boyer said: Cool new blog post: The Hidden Truths About Vitamin C http://bit.ly/g9zRuW […]
December 23, 2010 at 11:24 am
My wife is always bugging me to take extra C. I keep telling her though that between my daily and food, I get plenty of it.
December 23, 2010 at 11:29 am
@Tim, I agree. I don’t see any need to take more vitamin C than you’re already getting.
December 23, 2010 at 1:10 pm
I eat oranges everyday, along with other fruits and veggies. While I do take a multi-vitamin, I get a ton of my vits and mins through my food.
December 29, 2010 at 12:48 pm
I have no idea if this is at all relevant but I pretty much stick to water. I had a night out last night. I don’t get tanked save for when I visit my hometown and go to my hometown bar. One night each time I visit I tear it up and usually pay the next day. I think two things saved me. First off, I ate everything on the menu at Denny’s (I don’t eat well here – every person gains about 30 pounds each winter to stay warm. I think I gained 5) but this morning I drank an entire bottle of Sunny D and I feel great. I don’t think I’ve ever even had it before. I have no brainwave activity, but nothing hurts!
December 30, 2010 at 11:26 am
I believe it’s also helpful for reducing inflammation and can help reduce stress-inducing cortisol levels. I have a sudden urge to eat an orange!
Marie´s last [type] ..Polar RS300X Heart Rate Monitor Watch
December 30, 2010 at 3:46 pm
@Julie, I’m not sure if it was the Sunny D, or the fact that you hydrated yourself. I found that drinking lots of water, especially while I was drinking, I would avoid the dreaded hangover.
@Marie, I hadn’t heard about reducing cortisol. That is especially helpful to women. Did you know that cortisol in females can stay in the system for 24 hours?
January 2, 2011 at 7:47 pm
No, I hadn’t realized that. But I believe it. I am always more stressed longer after an argument than my husband
You have peaked my interest. I need to do a little more learning about cortisol.
Marie´s last [type] ..Polar RS400 Heart Rate Monitor Watch Review
January 3, 2011 at 8:58 am
@Marie, that’s a perfect example-men process cortisol in about an hour, while it takes a woman about a full day. I know, it’s not fair… to either sex. hehe