| Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) assists the body in | | | | vitamin. |
| the production of collagen, a basic component | | | | |
| of connective tissues. Collagen is an | | | | Deficiency Symptoms of Vitamin C |
| important structural element in blood vessel | | | | |
| walls, gums, and bones, making it | | | | Ascorbic acid literally means "acid that |
| particularly important to those recovering | | | | prevents scurvy". Vitamin C deficiencies were |
| from wounds and surgery. | | | | first discovered on ships that were sailing |
| | | | to the "new world". Often ships had barrels |
| Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin. Vitamin | | | | full of limes so that passengers could have |
| C is a powerful antioxidant and is needed for | | | | lime juice every day to prevent scurvy. |
| the production of collagen, the "glue" that | | | | Symptoms of scurvy are rare, but milder |
| strengthens the bodies muscles and blood | | | | symptoms can happen when intake is low. These |
| vessels. Vitamin C is also important in wound | | | | include fatigue, weakness, bruising easily |
| healing as a natural antihistamine, fighting | | | | and depression. More serious symptoms are |
| viruses, and aids in the formation of liver | | | | loose teeth and sore joints. |
| bile. Finally, it helps to detoxify alcohol | | | | |
| and other substances. | | | | Benefits of Vitamin C: |
| | | | |
| Vitamin C is one of the more powerful and | | | | There are plenty of good reasons to add |
| well-known antioxidants. Just as exposing a | | | | vitamin C to your diet and skin care program. |
| cut apple to air causes it to quickly turn | | | | Benefits of vitamin C on the outside of your |
| brown, cells of the body can also suffer | | | | body. Vitamin C products for skin care can |
| damage when exposed to oxygen, a process | | | | provide greater protection against harmful UV |
| known as oxidation. Oxidation causes aging of | | | | rays, increase the production of collagen and |
| the skin as well as all other organs and | | | | decrease the look of fine lines and |
| tissues of the body. Vitamin C, as a | | | | pigmentation that are the result of aging. |
| free-radical fighter, helps ward off wrinkles | | | | This can actually be easier said than done, |
| and many illnesses linked to oxidation, | | | | since the properties of vitamin C make it |
| including cataracts, arthritis, heart | | | | difficult to use in a skin care product. Use |
| disease, and cancer. | | | | a variety of vitamin C derivatives in skin |
| | | | care products that will bring about the same |
| Sources of vitamin C | | | | benefits as natural vitamin C with less of |
| | | | the ingredient required for results. |
| Vitamin C is mostly present in fresh fruits, | | | | |
| mainly citrus fruits, e.g. orange, lemon, | | | | It keeps a check on the presence of |
| tomato, pineapple, papaya, etc; fresh | | | | cholesterol in the body. Thus, it actually |
| vegetables e.g. cabbage, cauliflower, | | | | helps to prevent gall bladder disease and |
| lettuce, spinach, green peppers, beans etc.; | | | | even heart problems. |
| properly sprouted pulses, germinating grams, | | | | |
| etc. potato and seeds are poor sources but | | | | Over consumption of Vitamin C is not exactly |
| rich during germination. Amla is one of the | | | | harmful because being a water-soluble |
| richest sources of vitamin C both in the | | | | vitamin, extra amount gets excreted in urine. |
| fresh as well as in the dry condition. Guavas | | | | However, too much consumption can lead to |
| are another cheap but rich source of this | | | | problems of stones in later stages. |