Give Life a Squeeze: What Does Vitamin C Do?
When life gives you lemons, eat them! For real. Getting your Vitamin C just might change your life. It can certainly put your health on the right track and even make you look and feel younger. So what are you waiting for? Give life a little squeeze!
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient. Also known as L-ascorbic acid or ascorbate, the importance of Vitamin C was first discovered because of the lack of it. As early as 1550 BC, Vitamin C deficiency, Scurvy, was recorded by Eqyptians. In the 16th through the 18th centuries, the problem was widespread among sailors who were at sea for long periods of time without fresh fruits or vegetables containing Vitamin C. The deficiency caused pale skin with red or purple spots, tender gums, sunken eyes, internal bleeding, diarrhea, fatigue, nausea, pain in the muscles and joints, inability for wound healing, loose teeth, extremely dry skin and hair, bleeding into the muscles and joints and even death.
In 1795, it was discovered that by eating lemons, limes and even sour kraut, the disease could be prevented. Crews even brought along lemon and lime juice to drink. Although Scurvy was still a problem in times where Vitamin C was scarce such as in the Great Potatoe Famine and the Civil War, it became much less common because people were at least aware of the source of the problem.
Vitamin C is essential to being healthy. It prevents the symptoms associated with Scurvy and also a huge array of other things such as heart disease, gallbladder disease, hypertension, cancer, allergies, asthma, osteoporosis, sleep disorders, depression, chronic fatigue, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, chronic pain and so many other ailments. It is also important to the aging process. When deficient, it will speed up the aging process but when it is abundant, it will slow it down.
Vitamin C is an anti-oxidant and a very effective one at that. It is able to lessen or prevent oxidative stress. It protects the body from free radicals like over-exposure to ultraviolet light, air pollution, toxins in the water, cigarette smoke, harsh weather conditions and chemicals in our food supply.
A free radical is a cell that has been damaged and loses an electron. Since the cells require two electrons in order to be stable, that is a huge problem. In an attempt to survive, the cells set out on a mission to acquire another electron at any cost, often stealing one from another cell. When that happens, that cell becomes damaged and the destructive cycle spirals out of control. Oxidation is the damage caused by such action.
Oxidation is what happens when a shiny new bicycle is left out in the weather and begins to rust. The rust takes over and grows, making something new look old and ugly. The same is true with humans. Not only does oxidation make our skin wither and wrinkle, it sets the stage for diseases like cancer and even death.
Anti-oxidants protect our bodies against the damage of free radicals. While free radicals are sporadic and extremely unstable, anti-oxidants are just the opposite. They are the peacemakers. They are stable regardless of if they have one electron or two so they willingly donate an electron to the troublemakers that are hell-bent on getting another one at any price. When an anti-oxidant provides a free radical with an electron, there is finally peace and the destruction ceases.
Anti-oxidants are found in many sources of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals but Vitamin C is one of the most potent forms of all. Humans do not make Vitamin C naturally within the body and neither can they store it. Although many animals and fish do, humans cannot. That means that it must be introduced through foods, supplements or topical applications.
One of the most effective tools against accelerated aging is the use of Vitamin C. Fine lines and wrinkles, dry and lifeless skin, age spots and sagging are all brought on by the damage of free radicals. When Vitamin C is applied to the skin, healing begins. Free radicals are stopped in their tracks and restoration begins. That is why when you regularly use a good quality Vitamin C Serum, you will notice fine lines and wrinkles disappearing, dark skin lightening and an overall glow radiating. That is why Vitamin C is referred to as “Nature’s Miracle”.
Robert C. Atkins, M.D., put it like this, “There are a lot of issues that my colleagues in anti-aging medicine disagree on, but there’s one that has near unanimous agreement: damage from free radicals is at the heart of aging.”
If life has given you lemons and you feel you are looking old before your time, give them a squeeze. Eat them, drink them or rub them into your skin. Better yet, try a great product like our Vitamin C Serum that combines not only the potent power of Vitamin C but other beneficial ingredients as well. Find out for yourself just what Vitamin C can do.
