The fact that our body needs ascorbic acid, we hear from childhood. For this reason, adults are persuaded to lean on fruits, vegetables, drink sweet syrups or dragees.
And what exactly is the use of ascorbic acid, what products contain and what is vitamin C needed for? And are there any contraindications when taking, side effects? All this is important to know for everyone who monitors their own health.
No one will argue with the fact, whether a specialist in medicine or the layman, that vitamin C is the most important substance for the body. And if for some reason there is a deficiency of ascorbic acid, then life-threatening processes develop. To understand their nature, you need to study in detail a substance called “vitamin C”.
It all started with the fact that a young Edinburgh doctor in the 18th century drew attention to one feature. While scurvy was rampant in Europe, people who ate citrus fruits bypassed this terrible disease. Exotic lemons, oranges and other citrus “brethren” became an obligatory menu item for gentlemen, the poor could not afford it. Only two hundred years later, vitamin C was synthesized from lemon juice in 1928 to identify the same substance that promotes health.
Vitamin C is an organic compound C6H8O6 necessary for the normal functioning of the body of bone and connective tissues.
Benefits of Vitamin C
For a long period of time, through fruits and vegetables, they received vitamin C from colds as a prevention and treatment. But with the growth of medical achievements, there was a lot of research, of which there are more than a hundred today.
Large-scale work has made it possible to discover an incredible number of unique properties inherent in ascorbic acid. And what is remarkable, the element is useful for everyone without exception, regardless of the age and gender of the person.
- Increases immunity, which is the key to strong protection against infectious, viral, inflammatory and oncological problems.
- Removing toxins and purulent accumulations from the body, it allows the normal functioning of the liver, kidneys, vascular, endocrine and other systems.
- Reduces the level of “bad” and maintains the optimal level of “good” cholesterol, which protects against atherosclerosis, thrombosis. This process occurs due to the oxidative properties of the antioxidant.
- Ascorbic acid, by reducing the level of bad cholesterol, protects against cardiovascular diseases, acute conditions in the form of a heart attack, stroke, etc.
- An optimal level of vitamin C in the body protects against the development of dangerous bacteria such as pneumococcus, lung infections, diphtheria.
- Ascorbic acid intake increases appetite after serious illness.
- Sleep improves, the nervous system returns to normal.
- The element improves the access of oxygen to the smallest cells and protects them from the negative effects of free radicals.
Vitamin C for men
The stronger sex expends more physical strength, and useful elements can replenish the spent energy. Vitamin C synthesizes collagen and protein, which is one of the main components for the formation of skin, muscle, bone tissue, cartilage.
Work at hazardous enterprises, in ecologically dangerous regions, at nuclear power plants, chemical plants poisons the body. Ascorbic acid is capable of removing toxic substances, radionuclides, nitrates, salts of heavy metals. Its regular intake reduces the total mass of toxic substances by almost 20%.
- A powerful antioxidant is the prevention of dangerous diseases in the male genitourinary system – prostate inflammation, prostate adenoma, etc.
- Acid accelerates the healing process of wounds, abrasions, smoothing scars.
- It neutralizes the stresses received by the body in any situation: long-term severe illness, smoking, taking heavy medications, allergic reactions, drinking alcohol, etc.
- Vitamin C is useful for obesity, as it promotes metabolic processes, normalizes the functioning of peristalsis.
Vitamin C for women
For the weaker sex, it is also important to have strong immunity, which is facilitated by ascorbic acid. Regular consumption of products containing a valuable substance is the prevention of various diseases.
The risk of developing inflammatory, oncological, infectious processes is reduced. In addition, a frequent pathology – breast cancer is less common in women who monitor their diet.
- Vitamin C is included in the composition of collagen located in the layers of the skin. Its elasticity is ensured precisely due to the components, and the deficiency of ascorbic acid leads to the formation of wrinkles, peeling, redness and other pathological skin phenomena. Therefore, vitamin C for the skin is an indispensable substance and is a frequent component of the most popular and effective cosmetics.
- The process of assimilation of the iron necessary for the female body during heavy menstruation, anemia and the presence of blood diseases improves with a normal level of antioxidant.
- The substance synthesizes norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter, a hormone to reduce the destructive effects of stress on a woman’s fragile body.
- Vitamin C for hair in combination with zinc, calcium restores the structure, activates the growth and emergence of young hair follicles, eliminates dandruff, seborrhea.
- Inhibits the development of age-related cataracts.
Vitamin C for pregnant women
During pregnancy, there is a big load on the body, it works “for two”. It is necessary to strengthen forces and replenish resources, which will help fruits and vegetables, where Vitamin C is contained.
Vitamin C for children
The most important function of vitamin C in a child’s body is to strengthen the immune system in case of colds and infectious diseases. It is worth remembering that the norm per day should not exceed 25 mg. From about 4 years of age, 50 mg per day is allowed, but only as directed by a doctor.
Ascorbic acid – vitamin C restores strength during physical exertion, after sports, high activity. The combination of ascorbic acid with glucose is indicated for children from the age of 6, which makes it possible to enhance the effect of a valuable element on the body.
Lack of vitamin in the body
Very clear signs will help to understand that a person has a lack of vitamin C, an important element. And if you do not pay attention to them, dangerous, irreversible processes are possible.
- Bruises – blood vessels weaken and burst, creating blue spots under the skin.
- The skin condition worsens – it is dry, flaky, wrinkles, redness, inflammation are formed.
- Fatigue, fatigue, lack of energy.
- Bleeding gums, loose teeth, inflammation in the mouth.
- Wounds heal poorly, abrasions, scars deepen – lack of collagen affects.
- Excess body weight accumulates due to deterioration, inhibition of metabolism, disruption of the digestive tract.
- Vitamin C deficiency is manifested by nervousness, low stress resistance.
The lack of ascorbic acid contributes to the thinning of the walls of blood vessels, capillaries, and this is the cause of frequent nosebleeds.
Excess vitamin
An overdose of ascorbic acid through vitamin complexes, vegetables and fruits was rarely observed. The human body does not produce a substance, and a valuable element that has come from outside is also quickly excreted naturally in the urine.
Often, an overdose is manifested by an allergic reaction, but this phenomenon can also be attributed to the intolerance of a substance by the body.
An overdose of ascorbic acid can cause the withdrawal of an excessive amount of vitamin B 12, which can lead to:
- the formation of kidney stones;
- an increase in blood sugar (hyperglycemia);
- increased estrogen levels.
You may also experience:
- pain in the epigastrium;
- nausea, vomiting;
- cystitis;
- flatulence;
- diarrhea;
- skin itching;
- excitability.
Symptomatic treatment, washing, taking sorbents are prescribed.
What foods contain vitamin C
Therefore, the following products should be present in the menu of everyone – the main sources of vitamin C:
- rose hips;
- sweet pepper;
- blackcurrant;
- cauliflower, broccoli;
- radish;
- oranges;
- lemons;
- gooseberry;
- onion (green, onion);
- apples;
- tomatoes, etc.
As already mentioned, ascorbic acid loses its properties during heat treatment, so it is recommended to use the listed products in their raw form. Maximum steam treatment no more than 5-10 minutes.
Conclusions
Ascorbic acid is easily supplied to our body by apples, broccoli, sweet peppers and other plant products. In addition, they contain a lot of other, very valuable elements that create the optimal balance to ensure good health and longevity.
