Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an essential nutrient.
Vitamin C is one of the least stable vitamins, and cooking can destroy
much of this water-soluble vitamin from foods.
Some claim that vitamin
C has the potential to prevent and treat the common cold, flus, and
cancer. The medical establishment has voiced some concerns about these
claims and the mega-dose requirements needed to achieve the hoped-for
results. Vitamin C can be found in most citrus fruits. Collagen is
also formed with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) as a cofactor.
Vitamin C deficiency is
referred to as “scurvy” and has been present for thousands of years.
Scurvy was first written about around 1500 B.C. It was also described
by Aristotle in 450 B.C. as a syndrome characterized by lack of
energy, gum inflammation, tooth decay, and bleeding problems. In the
1700s, large numbers of sailors died from scurvy, until James Lind
discovered that the juice of lemons could cure and also prevent this
devastating and deadly disease. The ships then carried limes for the
sailors to consume daily to maintain health, and thus these sailors
became known as "limeys."
Vitamin C is absorbed
from the intestines, ideally about 80–90% of what you ingest. Your
body uses it in about two hours and then it is usually out of the
blood stream within 3-4 hours. It is suggested that vitamin C
supplements be taken at four-hour intervals rather than once a day for
just this reason. Vitamin C is used up even more rapidly under
stressful conditions, with alcohol use, and with those who smoke.
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