A Guide to the C Vitamin
These days, the vitamin c has got to be the one that is most well-known. Given that the body requires vitamin C for over 300 processes, this is not surprising. In fact, it has been demonstrated that the vitamin C aids in the prevention of heart disease, cancer, and other serious illnesses. The body would not be able to heal itself without the vitamin C. This is so because collagen is produced only when vitamin C is present. Collagen is responsible for repairing damage caused by cuts and injuries, and without enough vitamin C, this would be next to impossible. Collagen serves a variety of purposes in the body, including holding the organs in place, and it cannot do this without adequate levels of vitamin C.
The c vitamin aids in the body’s absorption of other vitamins and minerals and functions as an antioxidant. For example, folic acid and iron require vitamin C to be as effective as possible. The body responds better to colds and other common illnesses when it has more vitamin C. Although it won’t stop someone from contracting a virus, vitamin C does hasten the healing process.
Nearly all fruits and vegetables contain vitamin C, but some have much higher concentrations than others. Melons and cranberries are rich in vitamin C. In actuality, tropical fruits contain the most vitamin C of any type of fruit. When it comes to vegetables, hot peppers are one of the best sources of vitamin C. The amount of vitamin C in peppers increases with their level of heat. Since the c vitamin is water soluble, boiling vegetables for an extended period of time renders them ineffective as sources of c vitamin. Vegetables retain more of their vitamin C content when steamed or quickly stir-fried. If consumed raw or cooked quickly, five portions of fruit and vegetables per day can easily provide the recommended daily amount of the vitamin C.
To make sure that people get enough c vitamin, supplements are very helpful. However, a balanced diet is likely to provide the body with an adequate amount of vitamin C. However, a vitamin C supplement will aid in overcoming this if a person starts to feel fatigued or lethargic. Too much vitamin C is not harmful because the body simply excretes the excess.