What I Am Seeing

I hope you agree that the more we learn about nutrition and health the better decisions we will make regarding aging gracefully.  Everyone knows that exercise, a healthy diet, complete with essential vitamins and minerals, is a key part of living a long healthy life.  Today, let’s get the lowdown on the impact of what I am seeing with Vitamin C.

C-ing


Vitamin C, or L-ascorbic acid, as it’s formally known is an essential water-soluble vitamin that exhibits antioxidant properties.  Vitamin C is a very powerful antioxidant that is required for at least three hundred metabolic functions in the body, including tissue growth and repair, adrenal gland function, and healthy gums.  It also recharges other antioxidants like vitamin E, to keep them potent.

'C' - ing
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Many people know of vitamin C and its perceived ability to prevent the common cold.  But over the years, there has been conflicting data on vitamin C and its effect on colds.

The benefits of Vitamin C. Image credit: BeYouthful.net
The benefits of Vitamin C. Image credit: BeYouthful.net

Alcohol, analgesics (pain relievers,) antidepressants, anticoagulants, oral contraceptives, and steroids may reduce levels of vitamin C in the body.  Smoking may cause a serious depletion of vitamin C.

In the event you are taking too much vitamin C, you could experience some of the following symptoms:

•  Diarrhea

•  Nausea

•  Vomiting

•  Heartburn

•  Abdominal bloating and cramps

•  Headache

•  Insomnia

•  Kidney stones

Vitamin C is not manufactured in the body which means you have to obtain from dietary sources or supplements.  It’s unlikely that you will overdose on vitamin C through diet, as it’s a water soluble vitamin with excess being excreted from the body through urine.

Top 10 Vitamin C Foods:

Vitamin C Food Recommendations. Image Credit: DrAxe.com
Vitamin C Food Recommendations. Image Credit: DrAxe.com

The recommended dietary reference intake for adults is 65 to 90 milligrams (mg.)  For most people, a large orange or a 1/2 cup of strawberries, chopped red pepper or broccoli can provide enough vitamin C for the day.  

Annual blood testing is the most important step aging adults can take to prevent life-threatening diseases.  So, what I am seeing is Vitamin C-deficiencies are not life-threatening but still worth getting that Complete Blood Count (CBC) done that may reveal any abnormalities.

Have a fabulous week!

Siggy