Vitamin C is a simple yet effective vitamin for its role in supporting the immune system, from a simple common cold to a deathly COVID-19 infection. It is also an essential nutrient required for healthy skin, hairs, strong bones and cartilages, and wound healing.
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid is an essential micronutrient. It is required by your body to perform various metabolic activities. Vitamin C supports your immunity system, helps in collagen formation for wound healing, and acts as an antioxidant.
Severe deficiency of Vitamin C can lead to scurvy which is characterized by swollen and bleeding gums, poor wound healing, and skin thickening. Deficiency of Vitamin C can also present with fatigue, anemia, joint pains, depression, etc. Do not self-diagnose or take medications without proper consultation.
As Vitamin C is water-soluble, it is stored in minimum quantity in the body. Hence, to maintain the normal level of Vitamin C, you need to add various fruits and vegetables loaded with it in your diet. When the diet supplementation is insufficient, Vitamin C supplementation may be considered.
Vitamin C may reduce the risk of gout as reported by a clinical trial. It does so by reducing the levels of uric acid in the blood.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)
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Vitamin C can improve the absorption of iron present in green leafy vegetables.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
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Scientific data proposed that Vitamin C may be required, when your body doesn’t get a normal amount of Vitamin C. It can be supplemented orally or intravenously (IV) when higher doses are required such as in scurvy (Vitamin C deficiency syndrome).
Expert suggests that an intravenous infusion of Vitamin C can be useful for the treatment of COVID-19 infection along with Hydrochloroquine and Favipiravir. Though there is no proof that Vitamin C can treat or prevent Coronavirus but it can activate your immune system and acts as an antioxidant. Researchers also pointing the use of intravenous injection of Vitamin C and not over-the-counter tablets. In-spite of different studies, there is still no strong evidence of Vitamin C benefits to fight COVID-19.
Vitamin C creams are very popular in the market because our skin contains high amounts of it as it helps promote collagen development and protects the skin from sun damage.
Dr. Smita barode, B.A.M.S, M.S.
Vitamin C has shown its effectiveness in various health conditions. Some of the benefits are as follows:
Individual requirements of Vitamin C doses are based on factors including age, gender, health status, and environmental changes. The daily requirement of Vitamin C is 90 mg in adult males, 75 mg in adult female, and 120 mg in the pregnant female.
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Being a water-soluble vitamin, Vitamin C easily excreted through urine. Hence there are fewer chances of any adverse effects. Higher doses of Vitamin C may cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and headache.
It essential to include Vitamin C in your diet as it is a very important nutrient to keep your body fit. There are several benefits of Vitamin C from a simple cold to serious cancer. Hence, considering Vitamin C can be a great investment in your well-being. Also, make sure to consult your physician before initiation of your diet or taking other supplements.
