How can vitamin C help keep you healthy
Can vitamin C be used to support the immune system? This isn't exactly breaking news. In fact, increasing vitamin C intake is one of the first things many people do at the first sign of a cough, runny nose, or sore throat. However, these are only some of the benefits offered by this powerful nutrient. In addition to boosting immunityi, vitamin C also plays a key role in collagen formation, a substance vital for healthy skinii, joints, and blood circulation, by contributing to the formation, maintenance, and repair of tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. It also contributes to bone health and wound healingiii .
Okay, so we've established that vitamin C is important for helping to maintain optimal health. But how do we ensure we're getting enough? It's always a good idea to start with diet. Again, many people know that citrus fruits, especially oranges and grapefruit, are among the best dietary sources of vitamin C. However, there are also powerful dietary sources of vitamin C that may not be appreciated enough, including berries, tomatoes, and kiwis, as well as leafy green vegetables like spinach and broccolii.
That being said, since the body is unable to synthesize vitamin C, we need a constant supply of it. Given that many diets can be unpredictable in terms of fruit and vegetable intake, many people choose to add a supplement. Furthermore, the acidic nature of many food sources of vitamin C can often exacerbate digestive issues, including heartburnii. Unfortunately, many common vitamin C supplements also use an acidic form, ascorbic acid, which leads to similar potential problems. To further complicate matters, many supplement brands advertise "whole food" or "food source" vitamin C products, when these are often the same old forms of ascorbic acid, with some plant-based components added.
For an easy-to-digest vitamin C intake, consider a form like Ester-C®, composed of less acidic calcium ascorbatei . Moreover, compared to ascorbic acid, the Ester-C® form has also shown greater absorption and retention in immune system white blood cells, for up to 24 hours of immune supportii . The reason for this increased absorption appears to be the presence of vitamin C metabolites, threonates and furanone, which are found only in calcium ascorbateiii.
While vitamin C has rightly earned its reputation as a powerful natural immune system booster, its many health benefits extend far beyond simply surviving cold and flu season. Whether from food sources, supplements, or a combination of both, vitamin C undoubtedly deserves a place in your daily routine.