Vitamin C is an essential nutrient contained in foods and supplements. Being essential vitamin C is important for proper, functioning health. It also means that the body cannot produce these nutrients naturally and must be produced externally - by means of diet. Commonly found in fruits, vegetables, and supplements, vitamin C has many benefits. These include immune support, antioxidant production, and the assistance of lean body mass production, among many other benefits.
1. Immune Support
One of the most important benefits to vitamin C is its ability to strengthen the immune system. Vitamin C accomplishes this by encouraging the production of cells that boost the body's immunity. It also helps these cells function more effectively. Whether one is very physically active, lives in a cold climate, or has a cold vitamin C can help reduce the negative effects of these conditions.
2. Antioxidant Production
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants boost the immune system by protecting cells from free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that damage cells and have been linked to chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer's disease. Vitamin C helps protect cells against the damage from free radicals.
3. Muscle Support
Finally, one last benefit of vitamin C is that it supports the production and maintenance of lean body mass. Vitamin C is needed for the production of collagen. Collagen is essential for strengthening and maintaining skin, bone, cartilage, muscle, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. Vitamin C assists in building these lean tissues.
Vitamin C has many benefits. Be careful though, too much vitamin C can cause side effects such as upset stomach, heartburn, and headaches to name a few. It is not recommended to take more than 2,000 mg of vitamin C a day. Vitamin C is still beneficial and having too little can cause scurvy, anemia, and less ability to fight infection.