Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin, which means the body does not store this vitamin. Ascorbic acid functions as a cofactor, enzyme complement, co-substrate, and powerful antioxidant. Vitamin C neutralizes free radicals and toxins, attenuates inflammatory response, stabilizes vitamin E, enhances iron absorption, works as an essential cofactor for collagen biosynthesis.
- Why is vitamin C called an essential vitamin?
Vitamin C is classified as an essential vitamin because our body does not produce vitamin C on its own and needs to be consumed either through food or from a trusted vitamin C supplement. Unless one consumes plenty of vitamin C sources or relies on dietary supplements, it is difficult to get the recommended value of vitamin C.
- Is there a difference between natural and synthetic ascorbic acid?
No, unlike some vitamins, such as vitamin E, the natural and synthetic forms of ascorbic acid are identical. Dietary supplements typically contain vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid, which is chemically identical to natural vitamin C. Studies conducted to check the comparative bioavailability between synthetic and natural vitamin C have shown no differences between synthetic and natural vitamin C. Both food-derived and synthetic vitamin C are well known to increase non-heme iron uptake and body status, likely via its ability to reduce iron from ferric to the ferrous state.
- What are the causes of vitamin C deficiency?
Vitamin C deficiency usually arises due to decreased intake or increased requirements or losses. Persons at risk for inadequate intake of vitamin C include the elderly (who have less variety in their meals), those with alcohol use, those practicing fad diet, or unhealthy diet, those with presumed food allergies, those on restricted diets, those who smoke tobacco products, those taking medications such as aspirin, indomethacin, and tetracycline.
- What are the benefits of vitamin C?
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, essential cofactor for dietary iron absorption. Vitamin C is required for the biosynthesis of collagen, an important protein used to make skin, healing wounds, for the repair and maintenance of cartilage, bones, and teeth. As an important physiological antioxidant, vitamin C is required for the proper functioning of the immune system, cardiovascular function, growth, development, and repair of body tissues. Vitamin C has been shown to regenerate other antioxidants within the body, including vitamin E. Vitamin C improves the absorption of nonheme iron, which is a form of iron present in plant-based foods.
- What is the need to supplement with vitamin C?
Vitamin C cannot be synthesized by humans due to the lack of enzyme gulonolactone oxidase. This means, the human body does not synthesize vitamin C on its own, nor does it store it since it is a water-soluble vitamin. Vitamin C should be consumed everyday because it is not fat-soluble, combining vitamin C with plant-based iron helps you absorb more iron from your food.
- What are some of the vitamin C deficiencies?
Consuming too little vitamin C can lead to signs and symptoms of deficiency including decreased ability to fight infection, anemia, nosebleeds, tooth decay, dry and splitting hair, rough, dry, scaly skin, painful joints, bleeding gums, cardiovascular ailments.
- How to consume vitamin C supplements?
Vitamin C supplement is best suggested to be taken with water because it is a water-soluble vitamin. Vitamin C is a safe supplement, but if you are someone taking multiple medications, it is advised to consult your physician before embarking on vitamin C supplementation.
- Do I need to take daily dose of vitamin C?
Yes. Intake of vitamin C via food may be limited with individuals not exposed to a varied diet and those prone to smoking and other bad habits. The water-soluble vitamin does not get stored in the body tissues or muscles but instead gets expelled through urine. Vitamin C is among the less stable vitamins. Cooking vegetables or fruits containing vitamin C easily destroy this vitamin. Frying or baking vegetables destroy vitamin C, this can affect overall vitamin C levels in the body. Regular supplementation with vitamin C helps you get the daily adequate levels of vitamin C in the body.
- How much vitamin C should one consume daily?
The recommended daily allowance of vitamin C is 75mg-90mg per day for adults. Since your body does not absorb 100% of the vitamin you consume, higher doses of vitamin C (up to 1000mg) are often recommended for best results. The upper intake of vitamin C is 2000mg per day. Taking a vitamin C supplement can ensure an optimal amount of this nutrient.
- Does vitamin C cause any side effects?
Vitamin C toxicity is very rare because the body cannot store this vitamin. However, amounts greater than 2000mg/day are not recommended because such high doses can lead to stomach upset and diarrhea.
- Why is vitamin C important for immunity?
Vitamin C is popularly known for its immune-boosting properties, it contributes to immune defense by supporting various cellular functions of both the innate and adaptive immune system. Vitamin C supports epithelial barrier function against pathogens, it promotes the ability of the cells to initiate protective cellular defenses. Vitamin C plays a vital role in boosting immune function by stimulating white blood cell production, which are important immune cells that help fight infections. Vitamin C boosts antibody levels in the body which are proteins that help detect the invading microorganisms, bind to them, and neutralize them.
- Does vitamin C supplementation help boost skin health?
Yes. One of the greatest aspects of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is producing collagen. Vitamin C is an essential precursor to collagen, the protein that keeps our skin healthy. Our body’s production of collagen reduces with age which can lead to the appearance of fine lines, sagging of skin. The deficiency of vitamin C impacts the body’s ability to make collagen, the adequate intake of vitamin C promotes faster wound healing, skin tightening, work towards reducing puffiness, and reducing signs of aging. As a potent antioxidant, vitamin C fights the free radical damage caused on the skin by sun and pollution, brightens the skin, improves skin texture, helps fade away dark spots, and dullness.
- Does vitamin C help reduce hyperpigmentation?
Yes. Vitamin C has excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Vitamin C helps combat the signs of aging, fights free radical damage caused on the skin by pollution and sun, reduces wrinkles, evens out skin tone, and makes skin look healthy and youthful. Vitamin C inhibits the enzyme tyrosinase, which is responsible for converting tyrosine into melanin, thus preventing hyperpigmentation. Vitamin C is also very effective in preventing the occurrence of acne, dark spots, dullness, it plays a role in the formation of keratinocytes – the cells needed to close up a wound on the skin’s surface.
- Does vitamin C help boost hair health?
Yes. The free radicals get accumulated on your scalp due to the environmental pollutants which create a negative impact on your hair causing dry, frizzy, and brittle hair. The powerful antioxidant properties of vitamin C helps to fight the free radicals that cause damage to the hair and make your hair look healthy and shiny. Besides, vitamin C helps your body absorb non-heme iron, a necessary mineral for hair growth. Its collagen promoting ability further contributes to better circulation and strong hair growth.
- How does vitamin C boost absorption of iron?
There are basically 2 forms of dietary iron: heme iron and non-heme iron. Non-heme iron is found in plant-based foods whereas heme iron is the one that comes from the animal protein in our diet. Heme iron is absorbed in a faster rate than non-heme iron, meaning which the body easily absorbs iron from animal products than iron derived from plant foods. Vitamin C significantly increases the absorption of this type of iron by converting iron into a more easily absorbed form. Vitamin C supplementation is particularly beneficial for vegetarians and vegans who might naturally have a lower amount of iron consumption in their diet.
- Does vitamin C supplementation help improve anemia?
Iron plays a role in making red blood cells and increases the body’s ability to carry oxygen through the blood and its deficiency can lead to anemia. Iron contributes to keeping the immune defenses healthy and strong. Vitamin C has been shown to significantly improve the absorption of iron into the body and can reduce the risk of anemia.
- What is the expiry date of the supplement?
The vitamin C supplement is ideal to be consumed within 18 months from the date of manufacturing.
- How much vitamin C does a single capsule offer?
AS-IT-IS vitamin C capsules deliver 500mg of vitamin C per serving. The vitamin C capsules are formulated to support maximum assimilation within the body. The vitamin C capsules are 3rd party lab-tested, are free of gluten, soy, dairy, nuts, artificial sweeteners, colors, or preservatives.
- Are the capsules made of gelatin?
The capsules are made of cellulose.
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