Vitamin C, why is it important?
Humans cannot produce vitamin C themselves. About 40 million years ago we could, until we lost the enzyme gulonolactone oxidase. This enzyme made it possible to convert glucose into vitamin C. We are therefore dependent on food or supplementation for the absorption of vitamin C. We have had to learn this the hard way for hundreds of years. For example, many sailors died of scurvy because they did not get enough food with vitamin C. As early as 1227 it was advised to use citrus fruits to prevent illness and death of sailors. It may therefore be clear that vitamin C is necessary for being healthy, but this of course applies to every vitamin. But vitamin C is perhaps the most important of all vitamins. It contributes to more than 300 vital biological processes in the body. For example, it has an unprecedented antioxidant function, which is essential for maintaining healthy cells, tissues and our immune system. You can read a number of important functions of vitamin C below.
- Helps protect our (healthy) cells [SOURCE]
- Supports bone formation and maintenance of strong bones [SOURCE]
- Building and Maintaining Strong Teeth [SOURCE]
- Ensures good resistance and functioning of the immune system [SOURCE]
- Reduce fatigue and increase energy [SOURCE]
- Positive effect on our nervous system [SOURCE]
- Nourishes the skin from within [SOURCE]
How much vitamin C do we need?
A sufficient amount of vitamin C is therefore essential for everyone who wants to be healthy and function well. A vitamin C deficiency leads to the previously mentioned 'scurvy'. Fortunately, a disease that occurs very rarely worldwide. Symptoms of this include bad gums, painful arms and legs and even internal bleeding. To prevent scurvy, 75mg of vitamin C per day is recommended. This is very little (for example: 1 orange and bell pepper), which means that a vitamin C deficiency rarely occurs.
With this amount you prevent scurvy, but it actually says nothing about what amount is optimal for our body. However, many studies show that for the full and effective functioning of vitamin C we need a daily intake of 1000mg. Some studies indicate that you need even more, but in general the consensus is that you need about 500-1000mg to benefit from the important functions of vitamin C.
Where do we get vitamin C from?
Almost everyone knows that vitamin C can be found in many fruits, of which citrus fruits such as oranges and mandarins are the most well-known.
Surprisingly, however, these do not contain relatively much vitamin C. For example, kiwi and bell pepper contain up to 3x as much vitamin C as an orange. Furthermore, vitamin C is found in many everyday products such as strawberries, cabbage, potatoes and berries. If you want to get a higher dose of vitamin C - which as discussed has many advantages - then this is not impossible but more difficult to achieve with normal food.
Due to our Western way of farming, the soil is not nearly as good as it used to be. In addition, vegetables and fruit are often produced in an unnatural way. As a result, vegetables and fruit contain much less vitamins than 50 or 100 years ago. But the biggest problem is how we get our food. Due to globalization of our food, it is almost always picked unripe. As a result, all the necessary nutrients are not yet found in the fruit. Fruit is then stored for a long time, which reduces the amount of vitamins even more. This is because they are lost in heat, light and oxygen. So if you want to get enough vitamin C (which is especially essential in autumn and winter), you are dependent on supplementation to guarantee it.
These are the forms of vitamin C we support
Liposomal Vitamin C
If you are looking for the most absorbable form of vitamin C, you should choose the liposomal form. This is much better absorbed, so you are assured of sufficient intake every day. Liposomal vitamin C is transported directly into the bloodstream and to the cells, making you less dependent on your stomach and intestines.
Vitamin C Drops
Support your immune system and overall health with this liquid vitamin C. Mary Ruth's Vitamin C Drops come in an easy-to-swallow liquid form, so you can simply take them orally, add them to a glass of water, or add them to your favorite morning juice.
60ml | Liquid | Vitamin C | United States of America
All Natural Vitamin C
Finally, there is the completely natural form of vitamin C, such as Global Healing's plant-based vitamin C. This is also called a full-spectrum form. It not only contains vitamin C, but also contains hundreds of additional substances that are present in the plants from which it is made. All-natural vitamin C is often extracted from fruits such as Camu Camu, Amla and Acerola.
