The Basics of Vitamin C
Most mammals have the ability to produce Vitamin C on their own. Unfortunately, us humans cannot and must get it through our diet. It is an essential vitamin and so we do need it. Otherwise known as ascorbic acid, it is water soluble, meaning it doesn't stay in the fat of your body but is used and the excess excreted in human waste.
What Good is Vitamin C?
Collagen is an import structural component of blood vessels, bone, ligaments and tendons. Vitamin C is required for collagen to form and work. Vitamin C is also very important for the brain neurotransmitter norepinephrine to work. Norepinephrine affects your mood! Vitamin C is also necessary for the synthesis of carnitine. Carnitine is a little molecule that helps transport fat to your cells mitochondria for use as energy. Vitamin C is also a very important anti-oxidant. Antioxidants protect molecules in the body that exist in your hair, brain, skin and organs, from damage done by free radicals, which get into your body from pollutants and toxins in the atmosphere.
Vitamin C Deficiency
Scurvy is the most well known result of too little vitamin C in the diet. The symptoms of scurvy include bruising and bleeding easily. This may be the result of collagen production not taking place properly. Collagen is needed for stronger blood vessels and connective tissues. Fatigue is an early sign of scurvy. This may be due to diminished levels of carnitine in the body, for which the body uses to transport fat for energy, or it may be due to a reduced output of norepinephrine. Scurvy can be prevented by as little as 10 Mg. of Vitamin C daily, so there seems to be little excuse for scurvy to occur, since the vitamin is not expensive.
Recommended amounts of Vitamin C
Infants to children up to 12 months need 50 Mg. daily. Children 1-3 need only 15 -20 Mg. daily. Children 4-8 need 25 Mg. daily. Children 9-13 need 45 Mg. daily. 14-18 year olds need about 75 Mg. daily. Adults only need about 100 Mg. daily, but they can take up to 500 Mg. daily with little potential harm; anything over that will most likely go to waste and be excreted. Lactating women and smokers need at least 125 Mg. daily.
