Vit C

Ascorbic acid is used up more rapidly with alcohol use, smoking, and under stressful conditions. 

Other factors that increase Vitamin C requirements include viral illness and fever, Aspirin and other medications (sulfa antibiotics, cortisone), environmental toxins (DDT), and exposure to heavy metals such as mercury, lead, or cadmium.  Vitamin C is involved in the formation and maintenance of collagen, which is the basis of connective tissue found in capillary walls, skin, ligaments, cartilage, vertebral discs, joint linings, bones and teeth.  Collagen, and thus Vitamin C, is needed for wound healing and to maintain healthy blood vessels.

Vitamin C helps the absorption of iron (particularly the vegetable, or non-heme form), so it is helpful for iron-deficiency anemia.  Other conditions that benefit from ascorbic acid metabolism include diabetes (for insulin production), certain cases of male infertility, as well as arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, cataracts, glaucoma, and musculoskeletal degeneration (mostly by Vitamin C keeping calcium soluble and preventing it

from calcifying soft tissue).

Vitamin C helps thyroid hormone production and the metabolism of folic acid, tyrosine, and tryptophan, and it stimulates adrenal function and the release of norepinephrine and epinephrine, which are stress hormones.

However, prolonged stress depletes Vitamin C in the adrenals and decreases blood levels.  Ascorbic acid is important in cellular immune functions, where it is beneficial for bacterial, viral, and fungal diseases.

At higher amounts, Vitamin C may decrease the production of histamine, thereby reducing allergy potential.

A combination of very high doses of Vitamin C + Vit E + Vit B12 has been found effective in lessening the symptoms of shingles (herpes zoster), provided they are all taken at the earliest onset of the attack.

AGE                             FEMALE                       MALES

19 - 30 years                 75 mg                           90 mg

31 +     years                 75 mg                           90 mg

Pregnant                       80-85 mg         

Lactating                       115-120 mg

Smoking                       110 mg             120mg

Therapeutic Range:   250mg - 50,000mg+     Upper Level amount:   400mg - 2,000mg

Best time to take Vitamin C:  Morning to evening, in divided doses, preferably with the 3 main meals.

Too little vitamin C can lead to signs and symptoms of deficiency, including:

• Possible weight gain because of slowed metabolism Rough, dry, scaly skin Swollen and painful joints Weakened tooth enamel

  Anemia
• Bleeding gums
• Decreased ability to fight infection
• Decreased wound-healing rate
• Dry and splitting hair
• Easy bruising
• Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums)
• Nosebleeds