The Mighty Vitamin C

Vitamin C had long been touted as the remedy for colds and flu because of its immune-boosting antioxidant capabilities, but did you know that Vitamin C is essential for other bodily functions too?

As an essential nutrient, Vitamin C cannot be produced by the body, which means intake comes through diet or supplements. Vitamin C is found in many fruits and vegetables, including oranges, strawberries, kiwi fruit, bell peppers, broccoli, kale, and spinach.

This mighty vitamin, aka ascorbic acid, helps the body absorb iron from our diets as well as regulates the immune system. Vitamin C is also involved in the formation of collagen so optimal levels in the body are necessary for the growth, development, and repair of all body tissues. This means if the body is deficient in Vitamin C it will negatively wound healing and the maintenance of cartilage, bones, teeth and skin.

Vitamin C for Skin Health 

Vitamin C is an antioxidant, meaning it also protects skin cells from damaging free radicals caused by UV (sun) exposure. It inhibits melanin production in the skin, which helps to decrease hyperpigmentation and brown spots, even out skin tone, and enhances skin radiance! IV Vitamin C is absorbed directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system, which means your body and skin receives much more of this powerful antioxidant.

Vitamin C to Reduce the Risk of Chronic Disease 

Vitamin C’s antioxidant capabilities can strengthen your body’s natural defences against disease. An antioxidant is a nutrient that protects your cells. They do so by neutralizing harmful particles called free radicals. When free radicals accumulate unchecked in the body they can promote a state known as oxidative stress. Oxidative stress often leads to inflammation and has been linked to many chronic diseases. Studies show that consuming more vitamin C can increase your blood antioxidant levels by up to 30%. This helps the body’s natural defences fight inflammation and lower the risk of chronic disease.

Vitamin C to Lower the Risk of Heart Disease

Many factors can increase the risk of heart disease, including high blood pressure, high triglyceride or LDL (harmful) cholesterol levels, and low HDL (good) cholesterol levels. Vitamin C may help reduce these risk factors, which may lower heart disease risk. An analysis of 9 studies with a combined 293,172 participants found that after ten years, people who took at least 700 mg of vitamin C daily had a 25% lower risk of heart disease than those who did not take a vitamin C supplement. This analysis found that taking a vitamin C supplement significantly reduced LDL (bad) cholesterol by approximately 7.9 mg/dL and blood triglycerides by 20.1 mg/dL. It seems that taking or consuming at least 500 mg of vitamin C daily may reduce the risk of heart disease. Talk to your Naturopathic Doctor about the right dose of vitamin C for you and if IV vitamin C is the right alternative to oral supplements for you.

Many factors can increase the risk of heart disease, including high blood pressure, high triglyceride or LDL (harmful) cholesterol levels, and low HDL (good) cholesterol levels. Vitamin C may help reduce these risk factors, which may lower heart disease risk. An analysis of 9 studies with a combined 293,172 participants found that after ten years, people who took at least 700 mg of vitamin C daily had a 25% lower risk of heart disease than those who did not take a vitamin C supplement. This analysis found that taking a vitamin C supplement significantly reduced LDL (bad) cholesterol by approximately 7.9 mg/dL and blood triglycerides by 20.1 mg/dL. It seems that taking or consuming at least 500 mg of vitamin C daily may reduce the risk of heart disease. Talk to your Naturopathic Doctor about the right dose of vitamin C for you and if IV vitamin C is the right alternative to oral supplements for you.

Vitamin C to Prevent Iron Deficiency 

Iron is another essential nutrient with a variety of functions in the body and is necessary for making red blood cells and transporting oxygen throughout the body. Vitamin C can help improve the absorption of iron from the diet. Vitamin C assists in converting iron that is poorly absorbed, such as plant-based sources of iron, into a form that is easier to absorb. This is especially useful for people on a meat-free diet, as meat is a significant iron source. Simply consuming 100 mg of vitamin C may improve iron absorption by 67%. As a result, vitamin C may reduce the risk of anemia among people prone to iron deficiency. If you have low iron levels talk to your Naturopathic Doctor to see how to better absorb iron from your diet or supplements and if vitamin C is a missing piece of the puzzle for you.

Are you ready to feel how IV vitamin C can support you? Book your IV therapy treatment today. 

–Dr. Erica Kubanek, ND