Are You Vitamin C Deficient?

Vitamin C is a nutrient that the human body cannot manufacture. It must come from the diet, and foods rich in Vitamin C should be consumed daily.

Most people know that Vitamin C is needed for immunity, and that low intake can result in frequent colds and infections.

However, Vitamin C is needed for many more function in the human body, such as collagen formation. When depleted or insufficient, a Vitamin C deficiency contributes to bleeding gums, gingivitis, easy bruising, broken capillaries, joint and muscle pain.

Vitamin C is also required for toxic metal detoxification, which we are all exposed to no matter how clean our diet and lifestyles are. Smoking greatly depletes Vitamin C, even passive smoking.

Research shows that when we are under stress we require extra Vitamin C for stress hormone production (the highest concentration of Vitamin C in the body is found in adrenal glands). Iron absorption increases in the presence of Vitamin C, making it advisable in supplemental form for those with Iron deficiency.

The antioxidant nutrient Vitamin E is recycled by Vitamin C.

Vitamin C is a crucial nutrient for several enzyme reaction in the body.

If you suffer from one or more of the following symptoms, it would be wise to increase your intake of foods rich in this crucial vitamin:

Frequent Colds/Infections, Slow Wound Healing, Broken Capillaries, Easy Bruising, Nose Bleeds,    Bleeding Gums, Muscle Aches and Pains, Loss of Elasticity in the Skin / Accelerated Ageing, Age Spots, Chronic Stress, Low Sex Drive, Infertility, Miscarriages, Exhaustion after Exercise, Iron Deficiency, or if you are a smoker or exposed to a smoky environment.

Good Sources to include: broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, radish, bell peppers, okra and spinach and fruits like apricots, blackberries, kiwi, strawberries, citrus fruits, and cherries.