Vitamin C is legendary for its magical work! Enhance immunity, protection against cancer, great for skin – you just name it and vitamin C will show its magic over it.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) is loaded with antioxidants that are known to make your skin radiant and youthful. It helps to destroy the free radicles and enhance the tissue repairment and collagen synthesis for healthy skin.
Vitamin C normally presents in skin layers named dermis and epidermis where these nutrients are transported from the bloodstream. Aging, pollution, or exposure to UV rays may lower the vitamin availability mainly from the epidermis. Oral intake of vitamin C is very effective for the skin but less than topical application.
Vitamin C is found abundantly in fruits and vegetables. A few common dietary sources of vitamin C are citrus fruits, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli and strawberries. Make sure to consume these to get the optimum health benefits of vitamin C.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD
The recommended daily requiring dose for men is 90 mg and for women 75 mg. Vitamin C is commonly found in various fruits and vegetables such as lemon, oranges, broccoli, etc.
Did You Know?
Vitamin C is not just limited to its antioxidants properties but it is beyond it. Since vitamin C is highly acidic it works efficiently in skin-healing processes. When applied topically, it works instantly to heal a wound by accelerating the production of collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin are both protein fibers that enhance skin cell regeneration and make your skin firm and tight. Collagen also helps to delay the aging process of the skin and may reduce dark pigmentation.
Do you know vitamin C can help in cases of anaemia? Vitamin C promotes the absorption of iron in your body, which is an essential requirement for those suffering from anaemia.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
Along with the other major health benefits, vitamin C is key to skin health. It stimulates collagen and elastin production which improves the skin texture and quality. Here are some great benefits of vitamin C for skin –
It so depressing, when your skin shows aging signs such as wrinkles. Vitamin C works beautifully to prevent and reduce these unwanted signs by enhancing collagen synthesis in your body. Two study results found that a higher intake of vitamin C was associated with good skin appearances and topical application of vitamin C for 12 weeks has been shown to decrease the wrinkling of the skin, smoothening of the skin, and increase the production of collagen. Read more.
Prolonged sun exposure can affect your skin horribly like skin tanning, rough skin, redness of the skin, etc. The topical application of vitamin C works as an antioxidant to protect your skin from UV rays. Combinations of vitamin C and vitamin E are more effective in preventing the skin from sun damage than vitamin alone.
A high intake of vitamin C helps to decrease dryness of skin and provides moisture to your skin. Ascorbic acid retains water in the skin and prevents it from becoming dry and oily.
Also Read: Best Vitamin C Products In India For Improved Health
Vitamin C contains ascorbic acid that helps rapid wound healing by activating collagen formation. It works better when applied topically than ingested orally. Combination of Vitamin C and vitamin E with other oral therapies for pressure ulcers (bed sores) and burns aids for rapid recovery.
The topical application of vitamin C encourages the production of collagen and elastin in your skin that helps the skin to become tight and firm.
Vitamin C has numerous benefits and one should always include it in their diet however people suffering from kidney stones should be cautious while taking vitamin c supplements because Vitamin C might exacerbate stone formation and worsen the condition
Dr. Nikhil Yadav, MBBS MD,CCEBDM
Dark pigmentation also is known as hyperpigmentation of the skin is caused due to increased production of melanin. Melanin is a pigment that gives color to your skin. Hyperpigmentation is generally not harmful but for beauty purposes, topical application of vitamin C can lower the dark patches.
Vitamin C is a great anti-inflammatory as well as an antioxidant that helps reduce the signs of inflammation such as rash, redness, and irritation. Topical vitamin C relieves the inflammation in various skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis.
Vitamin C, when taken along with paracetamol, a medication used to treat fever, can cause increased levels of paracetamol in the body. Be cautious while using a combination of the two of them.
Dr. Smita barode, BAMS
Vitamin C is full of various nutrients including antioxidants. Although you are getting vitamin C from your diet, there is no guarantee that it will reach the skin. For better skin results you have to apply it topically. There are different kinds of options in the market such as vitamin C containing lotions, moisturizer, serum, and creams. However, many dermatologists will go with serum for the best skincare result as the serum is a lighter formulation than a moisturizer that absorbs easily into the skin. Also, don’t forget to apply vitamin C sunscreen before stepping out.
Also Read: What Is Scurvy? A Deep Dive into the Vitamin C Deficiency Disease
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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)
Also Read: Best Vitamin C Products In India For Improved Health
Vitamin C can improve the absorption of iron present in green leafy vegetables.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
Also Read: Strawberries Hepatitis: Unpacking The Potential Health Risks And Precautions
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.
Also Read: Are Strawberries Acidic? A Deep Dive into their pH Level
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.
