Ascorbic Acid
Ascorbic Acid or Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that is an essential part of life and sugar acid with antioxidant properties. The body requires vitamin C to form and maintain bones, blood vessels, and skin. Ascorbic acid helps produce collagen, a protein needed to develop and maintain healthy teeth, bones, gums, cartilage, vertebrae discs, joint linings, skin and blood vessels.
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[edit] Food Sources
[edit] Fruits
Oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits, tangerines, pears, bananas, melons, papayas, strawberries, mangos, blackberries, blueberries, kiwis, pineapples, watermelons, raspberries, cranberries, cantaloupes, rose hips, acerola cherries.
[edit] Vegetables
Asparagus, broccoli, green peppers, red peppers, cabbage, kale, cauliflower, potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, squash, peas, turnips, turnip greens, onions, corn, pumpkins, carrots, parsley, sauerkraut.
[edit] Vitamin C as Antioxidant
Is one of many antioxidants. Antioxidants are nutrients that block some of the damage caused by free radicals, which are by-products that result when our bodies transform food into energy. Vitamin C neutralizes potentially harmful reactions in the watery parts of the body, such as the blood and the fluid inside and surrounding cells. It has been suggested that it may be helpful in the prevention of some cancers and cardiovascular disease. The antioxidant properties of vitamin C are thought to protect smokers, as well as people exposed to secondhand smoke, from the harmful effects of free radicals. Vitamin C strengthens the collagen structure of arteries, lowers total cholesterol, and blood pressure, an inhibits platelet aggregation.
[edit] Deficiency of Ascorbic Acid
Deficiency symptoms include weakness, fluid retention, depression and anemia. It can also cause slower wound-healing, increased susceptibility to infections, male infertility and increased genetic damage to sperm cells, which may lead to birth defects.The absence of vitamin C leads eventually to scurvy, a condition with signs of tiredness, muscle weakness, joint and muscle aches, a rash on the legs, and bleeding gums.
[edit] Recommended Daily Dosage
- Infants from birth to 1 year: 30 to 35 mg
- Babies 1 to 3 years: 40 mg
- Children 4 to 10: 45 mg
- Pregnant women: 75-90
- Lactating women: 75-90
- Smokers: 100 mg
- Diabetics, elderly persons, patients suffering from stress or allergies: up to 200 mg
- All others: 60 mg
