all heard about the benefits of vitamin C -- especially its
potential use in preventing the common cold. Getting enough
vitamin C shouldn't be a problem in developed countries with
year-round access to fresh fruit and vegetables, which makes
the results of a recent study all the more perplexing.
Researchers collected blood samples from 492 generally healthy,
middle-class patients visiting a health care facility for
routine health, gynecological and pregnancy exams. After evaluating
vitamin C levels daily for 10 consecutive days, the researchers
determined that 6.3% of the patients had vitamin C deficiency
(less than half of the minimum recommended daily allowance,
or RDA) and a whopping 30.4% had vitamin C depletion (barely
the minimum RDA).
These rates are startling considering that a single piece
of fruit (i.e., an orange) often provides a full day's supply
of vitamin C. Could it be you're giving vitamin C the cold
shoulder? Make sure you stock your refrigerator with plenty
of fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C and other valuable
nutrients. After all, a happy vitamin C helps make you and
your loved ones happy and healthy.
Johnston CS, Thompson LL. Vitamin C status in an outpatient
population. Journal of the American College of Nutrition,
August 1998;17(4), pp366-70.
For additional information on nutrition, go to http://www.chiroweb.com/find/tellmeabout/nutrients.html