Vitamin C: Not just for colds!

Posted by June Thompson, CNC on 10/2/2011

Most people know to take some Vitamin C when they feel a cold or flu coming on. Vitamin C has so many more benefits than warding off the common cold though.

Here are a few of the benefits of Vitamin C, according to betternutrition.com:

Cell Regulator - In recent studies, vitamin C alone (out of 880 substances) prompted the conversion of generic cells into heart, brain and bone cells. In one study, newly formed heart cells actually started pulsating when viewed through a microscope.

Energy - Your body needs vitamin C to make L-carnitine, which helps you burn fat for energy. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health reported that fatigue was one of the first signs of vitamin C depletion. In one study, 44 workers received 6 grams of vitamin C daily. After two weeks, their fatigue had decreased by almost one-third.

Skin and Bone - You need vitamin C to make collagen, the predominant protein in the body. Collagen forms part of all our tissues, including skin, organs, cartilage and bone. Some research has found that lotions containing vitamin C can improve skin tone and reduce fine wrinkles. Another study reported that vitamin C reduces the risk of bone fractures.

Moods and Mental Health - Vitamin C is needed to manufacture several important mood-enhancing neurotransmitters, including dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine. Given this role, it's not surprising that one of the first signs of vitamin C deficiency is irritability. In a recent study, taking 1,000 mg of vitamin C daily led to significant reductions in anger, anxiety and depression.

Infection Fighter - Vitamin C can reduce the symptoms and duration of the common cold by about one-third.

Cancer Treatment - Considerable research now indicates that large doses of vitamin C are helpful as an adjunct therapy for cancer patients. Under these circumstances, the ideal method of administration is intravenous, but oral vitamin C can help too.