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Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Vitamin C
Including L-ascorbic acid and L-dehydroascorbic acid.
Description
Vitamin C is water soluble and is known as “the stress vitamin”
Maximum blood levels are reached 2-3 hours after digestion.
A diuretic vitamin C is eliminated via perspiration and urine with in 3-4 hours.
Also the most unstable of vitamins it is sensitive to oxygen
Potency can be lost through exposure to light, heat and air
Maintains collagen and protein necessary for the formation of connective tissue
Helps maintain resistance to bacterial infection
Stimulates white blood cells production
Reduces the effects of allergy producing effects in the body
Regulates amino acid metabolism (phonylatanine and tyrosine)
Converts inactive folic acid into folic acid
Helps maintain the strength of blood vessels walls
Antioxidant it protects other vitamins (thiamine, bioflavonoids, folic acid, pantothenic acid, vitamins A and E) and maintains these vitamins in their active forms
Protects membranes form injury, pollution, poisons and free redicals
Plays a major role in body growth, wound healing and stress conditions
Maintains adrenal glands and ovaries and ensures proper production of various hormones
Protects the absorption of iron and calcium in the body
Protects the circulatory system from fat deposits
Aids in forming red blood cells and preventing haemorrhaging
Protects the brain and spinal cord from free radical damage
Detoxification and excretion of drugs and chemicals
Cholesterol breakdown and excretion
Production of epinephrine
Situations of Increased Need
Increased physical stress (infection, fever, burns, surgery, trauma to soft tissues or bones)
Chronic illnesses (hyperthyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, chronic kidney failure)
Heavy alcohol use
Increased oxidant stress from chemicals, radiation, and heavy metals
Medications: aspirin, oral contraceptives
Older age groups
Rapid growth: childhood, adolescence, pregnancy, and lactation
Cigarette smoking
Signs and Symptoms of Deficiency
Scurvy
Lethargy, malaise, irritability
Weakness
Weight loss
Infection
Shortness of breath
Anaemia
Nose bleeds
Easy -Bruising, tissue swelling and haemorrhaging
Swollen painful joints
Slow healing wounds and fractures
Breaks in capillary walls
Inflamed and bleeding gums, joint stiffness and pain (due to bleeding into joints).
Build-up of keratin in hair follicles producing roughened „sandpaper skin“.
Depression and personality changes (may be due to impaired neurotransmitter synthesis).
Diminished antioxidant defences may increase risk for cancer, heart disease, stroke, cataract.
Good Dietary Sources
1 medium Papaya, Kiwi fruit, Broccoli, Guavas, Bean sprouts, Cauliflower, 1 medium Orange, Strawberries, Asparagus, Green peppers, Citrus fruit, most fruit and vegetables,
Herbal: Dog rose, Red clover, Alfalfa, Burdock, Violet leaves, Celery, Chicory, Chickweed, Dandelion, Cress, Cayenne, Comfrey, Plantain, Horehound, Nettles, Parsley, Elderberries
Antagonists
Stress
Smoking
High fever
Prolonged antibiotics or cortisone
Inhalation of DDT or petrol fumes
Aspirin and other pain killers
Baking soda
Drinking excess water
Cooking in copper pots
Anxiety
Infection
Injury
Contraceptive pill
Surgery
Burns
Fatigue
Dosage and Toxicity
ARC recommends 60 milligrams daily for adults
Depending on age, weight, metabolism, ailments etc. 200mg to 10 grams daily.
Because of time in the body it is better to take 1 tablet up to 6 x daily rather than 2 tablets 3 x daily. If mega dosing it is important to take calcium as well
Toxicity symptoms don’t usually occur as the body eliminates what it doesn’t want.
Some people may notice slight burning on urination, loose bowels, intestinal gas and or skin rashes.
Proper assimilation will occur if taken after a meal.
Can give some blood sugar tests an incorrect reading
Reduction after high dosing should be done slowly as symptoms of scurvy may appear if done to fast
Medicinal Uses
Mega dosing used in treating: Cancer, AIDs, Glandular fever, Hepatitis, Backache, Drug addiction, Arthritis, Whooping cough, Dizziness, Inflammation, Cystitis, Epilepsy, Alcoholism, Diarrhoea, Anaemia, Hypertension, Beriberi, Angina, Arteriosclerosis, Worms, Bruising, Insomnia, High Cholesterol, MS, Chicken Pox, Diabetes, Meningitis, Jaundice, Boils, Hypoglycaemia, Hemophillia and many many more situations
