Looking for a antioxidant boost?  Vitamin C for the win!

We’ve all probably heard the term ‘antioxidant’ at some point of our lives. Many of us have come to the general understanding that antioxidants are beneficial for our bodies and general health, but antioxidants may actually play a more vital role than we understand. Antioxidants are substances that may protect our cells against free radicals. These free radicals are molecules produced when our body breaks down food, and antioxidants may help protect our cells from getting damaged (1, 2).

One of the most common antioxidants that we can easily incorporate into our diets through food and supplementation is vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid. Aside from the function of neutralising free radicals, the antioxidant vitamin C has several other uses. Read on to learn more about vitamin C as a powerful antioxidant.

Vitamin C as an antioxidant

Whenever we want to help boost our immune system, we’re often told to include fruits and vegetables such as oranges, blueberries, strawberries, broccoli and brussel sprouts into our diets as they are high in vitamin C. But how does vitamin C exactly help boost our immunity?

Vitamin C as an antioxidant plays a role in supporting wound healing, and it also reduces free radicals formed in the body. Vitamin C is also needed to make collagen, a fibrous protein in connective tissue that helps the various crucial systems in the body such as the nervous, immune, bone, cartilage, and blood (3).

What a lack in vitamin C can cause

Just like any other essential mineral and vitamin, health problems can occur if a person were to experience having a severe deficiency in vitamin C. A prime example of a health problem caused by a deficiency in vitamin C would be scurvy, which causes anemia, bleeding gums, and poor wound healing (4).

Having a healthy diet with vitamin C rich foods can usually help people get all of the vitamin C their body needs, but people are more likely to experience a deficiency if they:

• Are cigarette smokers and/or are exposed to secondhand smoke (4).
• Have been diagnosed with long-term illnesses such as gastrointestinal conditions or cancer4
• Lack wholefoods such as fruits and vegetables in their diet (4)

In case you’re wondering if you have a deficiency in vitamin C, here are some of the most common signs that you might have a deficiency (3):

• Skin spots due to bleeding and bruising
• Swelling or bleeding of gums
• Eventual loss of teeth
• Loss of hair
• Delayed healing of skin wounds
• Fatigue

How to beat vitamin C deficiency

It is frightening to think that we could encounter a lot of health complications by having a deficiency of an essential antioxidant like vitamin C. However, there are plenty of ways to get the right amount of vitamin C that your body needs, to stay healthy.

The first would be through having a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Apart from being generally high in fiber, there are plenty of fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamin C. Some of these were mentioned earlier like oranges, strawberries, broccoli and Brussels sprouts. But you can also find vitamin C in cauliflower, kale, kiwi, lemon, bell peppers, tomatoes, and other various berries (3). So keep these foods in your diet to keep your nutrient levels high.

In the event that you aren’t able to always get these kinds of foods, supplementation is key and always a convenient choice. With Vitable’s vitamin C Plus, you’ll be able to take the daily requirement of vitamin C that your body needs for its antioxidant, immune system, and collagen formation (5).

So if you’re looking to complement your vitamin C supplementation with other essential vitamins and minerals, Vitable Australia’s daily vitamin subscription is a great choice!

At Vitable, we also ensure that you get what you need for your personalised vitamin packs all through the convenience of our delivery available in Australia!

*Always read the label and follow directions for use. If you experience any symptoms or if symptoms persist, talk to your health professional. Vitamin and/or mineral supplements should not replace a balanced diet.

References:

1.Mayo Clinic. “Healthy Lifestyle: Antioxidants”. Mayo Clinic. Published (n.d.) on https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/multimedia/antioxidants/sls-20076428?s=1. Accessed December 16, 2021

2. Harvard School of Public Health. “Antioxidants”.Harvard School of Public Health. Published (n.d.) on https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/antioxidants/. Accessed December 16, 2021.

3.  Harvard School of Public Health. “Vitamin C”.Harvard School of Public Health. Published (n.d.) on https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-c/. Accessed December 16, 2021.

4. Mayo Clinic Staff. “Vitamin C”. Mayo Clinic. Published (n.d.) on https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/multimedia/antioxidants/sls-20076428?s=1. Accessed December 16, 2021

5. Vitable.”Vitamin C Plus”.Vitable. Published (n.d.) on https://research.vitable.com.au/vitamin-c-plus. Accessed December 16, 2021.