According to integrative health experts, deficiency in Vitamin C can increase the risk of various serious conditions that include cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, among others.
A recent study sheds light on the connection between the levels of Vitamin C and one’s physical and mental health. Without a doubt, this is one of those important news stories that will unfortunately not get adequate coverage from mainstream media to please giant pharmaceutical companies.
The study that was published in Nutrients was conducted among 400 50-year-old men and women from Canterbury, New Zealand. The participants were assessed for their Vitamin C levels and their dietary intake. After completing a food diary for four days, researchers checked their general well-being using a number of tests that measured the participants’ attention and concentration, memory, language and conceptual thinking, and executive functions.
The results showed that 63% of the participants had inadequate levels of Vitamin C. Even more shocking is the fact that 13% of the participants actually had hypovitaminosis – an extremely low level that can cause excessive bruising, slow wound healing, and fatigue. 2.4% were actually clinically deficient and at risk for scurvy. Of all the participants, a mere 7% had optimal Vitamin C levels.
Upon making the comparison between Vitamin C status and the measures of the participants’ health and well-being, an amazing pattern surfaced: Higher levels of Vitamin C tied to better health.
Those with higher levels of Vitamin C had lower body weight, as well as healthier blood levels of both insulin and triglycerides and smaller waist circumference. These are all factors that help reduce the risk of diabetes. According to researchers, these positive markers may be attributed to Vitamin C’s ability to modulate adipose tissue’s inflammatory effect.
Additionally, a published study in Journal of Nutrition reported that sedentary and obese people who supplemented with 500 mg vitamin C daily lost an average of 13 pounds!
On the other hand, those who have poor Vitamin C status were at an increased risk for obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. They were also more likely to experience memory loss and poor concentration. In one study, it was found that deficiency in Vitamin C caused a significantly increased accumulation of a protein called amyloid plaque, which is associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Vitamin C is truly a powerful antioxidant and an important cofactor for many enzymes and reactions in the body. For instance, collagen can’t be formed without Vitamin C. It is necessary because collagen not only keeps skin tissues soft but it also produces scar tissue for wounds, supports muscles and maintains bones, and more importantly, makes arteries and veins stronger.
Vitamin C is needed for the digestion of food, as well as the metabolizing of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It also neutralizes toxins while at the same time eliminating heavy metals. It regulates immune system defense, too.
Vitamin C is also antiseptic, antibacterial, and at high doses, an antiviral agent as well.
If Vitamin C is this precious, why are a lot of people deficient? Many do not know that various factors like chronic disease, smoking cigarettes, poor diet, stress, and injury can all deplete your body of Vitamin C. Even if you consume as many fruits and vegetables as you can you will still fall short of obtaining adequate amounts of Vitamin C, as the above study reveals.
At Sloan Natural Health Center , we carry exceptional, professional types of Vitamin C in either capsules, crystals or liquid form. The liquid format especially is designed so that the body can assimilate this most important vitamin close to 100%! This is not seen in most other brands of Vitamin C out there. Give us a call or come in and we will help you get the best one for you!
