Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin. Most
plants and animals can produce their own vitamin C, but humans
cannot. For this reason, humans must get vitamin C from the diet
every day.
Here are facts, cautions and warnings about vitamin C you should
know.
1. Vitamin C is a highly effective anti-oxidant. An anti-oxidant is a
molecule that slows or prevents cell damage caused by free-radicals.
A build up of free radicals over time is responsible for the aging
process and can contribute to the development of cancer, heart
disease, and inflammatory conditions like arthritis. Anti-oxidants can
also help rid the body of pollutants like cigarette smoke.
2. The body also needs vitamin C to make collagen, a protein required
to help wounds heal. In addition, vitamin C improves the absorption of
iron from plant-based foods and helps the immune system work
properly to protect the body from disease.
3. Skin creams containing vitamin C or vitamin C in combination with
acetyl tyrosine, zinc sulfate, sodium hyaluronate, and bioflavonoids
helps to improve wrinkles in facial skin aged by sun exposure.
4. Vitamin C might raise blood sugar. In older women with diabetes,
vitamin C in amounts greater than 300 mg per day increases the risk
of death from heart disease. Do not take vitamin C in doses greater
than those found in basic multivitamins.
5. Vitamin C might make sickle cell disease worse. Avoid using large
amounts of vitamin C.
6. Vitamin should not be taken together with antacid that contains
aluminium. Antacid are medications used in treating ulcers and
heartburns. Vitamin C can increase how much aluminum the body
absorbs. Take vitamin C two hours before or four hours after antacids.
7. Vitamin C helps to repair and regenerate tissues, protect against
heart disease, and decrease total and LDL ("bad") cholesterol and
triglycerides.
8. Vitamin C may help protect against a variety of cancers by
combating free radicals, and helping neutralize the effects of nitrites
(preservatives found in some packaged foods that may raise the risk
of certain forms of cancer).
9. Vitamin C may lessen the duration and symptoms of a common
cold; help delay or prevent cataracts; and support healthy immune
function.
10. Taking large doses of vitamin C might reduce how much of some
medications used for HIV/AIDS stays in the body. This could decrease
the effectiveness of some medications used for HIV/AIDS.
11. Taking vitamin C, beta-carotene, selenium, and vitamin E together
might decrease the effectiveness of some medications used for
lowering cholesterol. It is not known if vitamin C alone decreases the
effectiveness of some medications used for lowering cholesterol.
12. High doses of vitamin C (greater than 2,000 mg/day) may
contribute to the formation of kidney stones, as well as cause severe
diarrhoea, nausea, and gastritis.
13. Vitamin C is required for growth and repair of tissues in all parts of
the body. It is essential for life and in healing wounds and maintaining
the integrity of gums, bones, and teeth.
14. Be careful when using vitamin C with oral contraceptives. The
body breaks down estrogens to get rid of them. Vitamin C might
decrease how quickly the body gets rid of estrogens. Taking vitamin C
along with estrogens might increase the effects and side effects of
estrogens.
15. Some evidence suggests that taking vitamin C with the antibiotic
tetracycline may increase the levels of this medication; it may also
decrease the effects of vitamin C in the body. Other antibiotics in the
same family include minocycline and doxycycline