Beyond Scurvy: The Timeless Benefits of Vitamin C
I remember studying vital vitamins in my 6th-grade biology class. In the most tedious manner, all the information was presented in a table, with one column for the vitamin name, another for its function, a third for sources, and a final one for deficiency symptoms. While I did cram the table to get the highest marks in class (yup, those were my nerd days), my fleeting memory caused the vitamins to soon fade from my mind—except for one. It was Vitamin C. Looking back, I think it might be because of the sad background story of sailors dying from scurvy, neatly placed in a fact box beside the boring table, or perhaps because oranges were mentioned as a source of Vitamin C, which happens to be one of my favourite fruits. (Turns out later, guava has the highest amount of Vitamin C—who is spreading these myths?)
Undeniably, Vitamin C gets enough limelight. With skincare brands jumping on the bandwagon of Vitamin C's popularity, they make a fair share of money from its high reputation among vitamins.
Scurvy has long been eradicated, but how is Vitamin C still relevant today? What is the reason behind its timeless appeal? It’s time to disassociate Vitamin C from scurvy, as this vitamin has many other benefits.
Vitamin C and Immunity
All of us dislike the incessant cold, the blocked nose that makes breathing a task, and the coughing that makes your lungs go dancing. Vitamin C can help build immunity, protecting us against nasty colds and flu. The idea of using Vitamin C as an immunity-boosting agent isn’t new; it’s so ancient that at one point, it was believed that Vitamin C would soon make the common cold a thing of the past. These claims were made by Linus Pauling in his book Vitamin C and the Common Colds, though his suggestions were later refuted because the quantities he recommended were absurdly high. Nevertheless, research has shown that Vitamin C is important for our immune system. White blood cells, like neutrophils and monocytes, can hold up to 100 times more Vitamin C than what’s found in our blood. This suggests that these cells need Vitamin C to perform their immune functions effectively.
Vitamin C and Collagen Synthesis
Collagen is a type of protein that serves as the main structural component in various connective tissues throughout the body, including skin, bones, tendons, and cartilage. Did you know that Vitamin C doesn’t just help in collagen synthesis but also boosts its stability? Once collagen is produced, Vitamin C acts like a protective shield, preventing it from breaking down too quickly. It provides strength, elasticity, and support, helping to maintain the integrity and structure of these tissues. Collagen is essential for skin health, joint function, and overall physical resilience, and Vitamin C plays a crucial role in their effectiveness.
Vitamin C and Iron Absorption
Vitamin C and iron are linked like interconnected links in a chain. Just as each link supports the others to create strength and stability, Vitamin C enhances the absorption of iron in the body, especially from plant sources. This connection ensures that you get the most benefit from the iron you consume, promoting overall health and vitality! Hence, you will often see your doctor recommending orange juice along with iron supplements.
Jump on the immunity bandwagon so that seasonal colds and flu don’t make you fret. Nutrifactor’s three Vitamin C products—Extra C, Nutra C plus, and Nutri-C 1000—may seem as different as Ayesha, Aisha, and Aysha, but each has unique qualities that make it stand out. Nutra C Plus combines the benefits of Vitamin C with zinc. Extra C, as the name suggests, offers something extra—rosehip, an antioxidant. Then we have Nutri-C 1000, which is similar but contains a higher amount of Vitamin C, equally beneficial rosehip and bioflavonoids.
References
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9925039/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6204628/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6940487/