Vitamin C

Vitamin C

Vitamin C, also known as L-ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in some foods and available as a dietary supplement. Humans, unlike most animals, are unable to produce and synthesize vitamin C internally, so it must be consumed via foods or supplements as an essential dietary component. The type of Vitamin C used in EZMELTS products is a non-acidid form of Vitamin C that is designed to be gentler to the digestive system.

Benefits of Vitamin C

• The main function of Vitamin C is assistance in the growth and repair of all tissues in the body and production of collagen which is crucial for the skin, cartilage, ligaments, tendons and blood vessels.
• Vitamin C is also instrumental healing of wounds as well as in helping support the health of the teeth and bones in our body.
• Vitamin C is also popular in boosting the immune system, protection of cells and their DNA from mutation and damage, eye health, and also in ensuring that the cholesterol in our blood does not oxidize-oxidizing of cholesterol is normally a step towards heart complications like stroke.
• Asthmatics will find Vitamin C useful because it helps improve the symptoms of asthma and decreases the production of histamine, which normally cause inflammation. [2]
• Vitamin C is an important antioxidant that helps fight the damaging effect that "free radicals" have on cells. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells. Free radicals can cause cell damage, known as "oxidative stress," which is thought to play a role in the development of many diseases.
• In addition to its antioxidant functions, vitamin C plays an important role in immune function and supports a healthy immune system. Vitamin C also improves the absorption of iron present in plant-based foods. Vitamin C is required for the biosynthesis of collagen, L-carnitine, and certain neurotransmitters. Vitamin C is also involved in protein metabolism.

Vitamin C - The EZ MELTS Way!

Additional Information

Vitamin C Sources

Also known as L-ascorbic acid, Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin known for its essential nutrients and the ability to prevent and cure scurvy. Most of our daily intake of Vitamin C comes from fruits like citrus, oranges and kiwifruits. Several animals and plants have the ability to synthesize their own Vitamin C through a four-step enzymatic sequence where glucose is converted to Vitamin C. Ascorbic acid in the body can be broken down by the enzyme L-ascorbate oxidase thus removing any ascorbate that may have not been excreted directly in urine or destroyed through body metabolism. ^[1]

Vitamin C Dosage

The recommended dosage for Vitamin C varies depending on a number of factors such as age and gender. Pregnant women for instance will require high amounts of Vitamin C, this also applies to smoking individuals though the best advice for them is to quit smoking. The recommended daily intake pediatrics below 6months is 40mg; 50mg for infants 6-12 months; 15mg, 25mg and 45mg for children 1-3, 4-8 and 9-13 years respectively; 65mg and 75 mg respectively for adolescent girls and boys 14-18; 75mg and 90mg respectively for women and men over 18; 120 mg for breastfeeding women; Breastfeeding women-120mg. An additional 35mg is recommended for people who smoke. ^[2]

Side Effects of Vitamin C

Vitamin C will not present serious side effects when taken normal dosage, you therefore need to be keen enough and make sure you are taking the right dosage as recommended. Side effects include nausea and vomiting, esophageal irritation, indigestion or heartburn, intestinal cramps, fatigue and flushing of the skin; it can also pose risks of cancer.^[3] Other side effects may also be due to inadequacy of Vitamin C in the body; one can experience dry and splitting hair, gingivitis or inflammation of the gums, bleeding of the gums, rough and scaly skin, slow wound healing rate, easy bruising, nosebleeds, swollen and painful joints, poor immunity to infection and diseases, and anemia. ^[4]