If there is one vitamin that most of us hear about throughout our lives, it’s Vitamin C. It’s the Vitamin that will keep colds at bay. And that’s true. But Vitamin C does a lot more than that.
Vitamin C also happens to be water-soluble, which means your body does not store it. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey almost half of Americans fall short of getting enough Vitamin C without taking supplements or fortification. A daily multivitamin is a reliable way to make sure you get your C’s. Here’s why we think you should take Vitamin C every day.
- It’s a potent antioxidant: As an antioxidant Vitamin C helps to fight free radicals, which are pesky molecules that like to wreak havoc on the immune system. Without the presence of antioxidants like Vitamin C, they can become a pathway to disease.
- Boosts immunity. This is what your mom told you. In fact, Vitamin C helps strengthen the immune system because of its antioxidant properties. White blood cells actually rely on Vitamin C molecules to help fight bacteria. Think of it as a super hero fighting the bad guys—like colds and other infectious diseases.
- Helps to fight colds. Okay, we know we just said this, but if you do actually end up getting a cold, don’t stop taking Vitamin C. It’s known to be a good ally in helping to reduce the length and intensity of symptoms should you catch a bug.
- Promotes cardiovascular health. Remember those free radicals we mentioned? If left to their own devices they can break down cells and lead to diseases such as cardiovascular disease. Vitamin C’s antioxidant properties are thought to play a role in protecting your heart. Studies have even shown Vitamin C to have similar effects on your heart as walking or exercise. It has also shown to improve vasodilation in those with heart disease.
- Contributes to eye health. Studies have shown taking a multivitamin containing a combination of vitamins, including Vitamin C, lutein and zeaxanthin can reduce the risk of macular degeneration.
- Is an ally in healthy aging. Need to ward off wrinkles or the signs of aging skin, let Vitamin C help. Again, its antioxidant properties has it working overtime in your body to ward off oxidative stress and keep your cells happy, healthy and functioning well.
- Supports fuller hair. Research shows that Vitamin C, along with Vitamins B3 and biotin promotes fuller hair. The oxidative stress caused by free radicals, can damage cell structures and cause our hair to age, contributing to hair loss and graying. Vitamin C is thought to help fend off this aging process.
- It aids a healthy disposition. Research has shown that taking Vitamin C on a regular basis can help to improve your mood and reduce anxiety.
- It fights off scurvy. Scurvy is caused by a Vitamin C deficiency, which in decades past came on in unfavorable living situations or amongst sailors on ships as they crossed oceans. This disease can lead to gum disease, poor wound healing and even death by infection or bleeding. The moral of the story, don’t become deficient in Vitamin C.
- Vitamin C controls the formation of the bone matrix. The bone matrix is an intercellular bone tissue, which contains primarily collagen, along with inorganic salts and calcium carbonate. Low levels of Vitamin C are thought to play a role in osteoporosis and bone fractures. In fact, author Thomas E. Levy, MD, author of Death by Calcium says pay more attention to Vitamin C levels than low calcium.