View / EditFour reasons to use it every day
(ARA) - December through March are not the only months that vitamin C supplements should be part of your daily routine. With all the vitamin C research that is popping up, it is more evident than ever that vitamin C benefits go beyond cold and flu season.
According to Dr. Phil Brown, Ester-C product manager at Inter-Cal Nutraceuticals, "Vitamin C is a year-round necessity. It's a nutrient that does much more than simply maintain health by preventing scurvy or supporting the immune system. In fact, new research and clinical studies have validated the importance of vitamin C in many diverse and important biological functions."
Brown gives four important reasons for incorporating vitamin C supplements
into your daily routine:
1. Joint and Bone Health. Vitamin C is very important for the formation and maintenance of collagen, the "glue" that provides strength to bones, cartilage, teeth, tendons and ligaments, as well as support for vascular and skin health. Recent studies have shown that vitamin C positively affects bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. Many health care experts feel that judicious vitamin C supplementation can benefit overall joint and bone health.
2. Vision Health. Vitamin C is important for the maintenance of good vision. Proper dietary levels of vitamin C may slow the formation of cataracts and minimize the effects of age-related macular degeneration. A recent study by the U.S. National Institutes of Health concluded that 500 milligrams of vitamin C, in addition to the other vitamins and zinc supplements, were most effective against lowering the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration.
3. Heart Health. Numerous studies and clinical trials have demonstrated the importance of high levels of vitamin C in maintaining vascular integrity, blood pressure, cholesterol levels and even the functioning of the heart itself. Dietary antioxidants, including vitamin C, are overwhelmingly recommended to support cardiovascular health.
4. Immune System Health. Vitamin C is an antioxidant capable of neutralizing free radicals, which can break down the immune system. Free radicals are unstable molecules formed during normal cellular activity that damage cells, mutate genes, weaken organ systems, increase the risk of certain forms of cancer, cause skin wrinkles and even accelerate aging. Our lives are full of factors that multiply free radicals -- stress, smoke, pollution, fried food and excessive sunlight. Because free radicals don't take a break during the spring and summer, vitamin C supplements should be a part of your year-round health regimen to maintain a healthy immune system.
Supplements are a convenient way to provide consistent amounts of specific
nutrients and can help make up the difference between amounts available from
food and the levels for optimal health and well-being. There are currently
recommended daily intake (RDI) levels for all nutrients, including vitamin C.
"However, many studies have shown the positive
effects of vitamin C used at
levels well above the RDI (currently 90mg per day)," said Brown.
"Extensive evidence indicates that consumption of vitamin C is safe because
it does not accumulate in the body like fat soluble vitamins."
"Unfortunately, common vitamin C is very acidic and may upset the stomach when taken at levels higher than the RDI. Ester-C is an efficiently absorbed, non-acidic form of vitamin C and high levels of it may be ingested without worrying about an upset stomach," said Brown.
Ester-C Mineral Ascorbate is an ingredient in human supplements, functional foods and beverages, pharmaceuticals and personal care products. It is available through natural product stores, food, drug and discount chains, catalogues and the Internet. For more information on vitamin C and Ester-C, visit www.esterc.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content
