vitamin c
what is vitamin c?
Vitamin C (also called ascorbic acid) is an essential vitamin. It is essential because it is not found naturally in the body, and it cannot be stored. Giving your body a daily dose of Vitamin C will help maintain optimum health. The greatest effects of Vitamin C supplementation are seen when it is combined with other micronutrients, such as Vitamin E and Zinc.
why is Vitamin C important?
Although best known for its antioxidant properties, Vitamin C plays a vital role in the body for the biosynthesis of collagen. Vitamin C is a normal skin constituent found at high levels in both the outer layer (epidermis) and inner layer (dermis). It offers several protective benefits for the skin due to its antioxidant properties, role in collagen synthesis, and ability to mitigate damage caused by various environmental factors. Over time, ageing causes a natural decline in the Vitamin C content of both the epidermis and dermis. Giving your body a daily dose of Vitamin C will help maintain optimum health and will helps the skin to produce collagen naturally resulting in less saggy and firmer skin.
HOW DOES VITAMIN C PROTECT THE SKIN?
Vitamin C is a normal skin constituent found at high levels in both the epidermis (outer layer of skin) and dermis (inner layer of skin). It offers several protective benefits for the skin due to its antioxidant properties, role in collagen synthesis, and ability to mitigate damage caused by various environmental factors.
Ageing causes a natural decline in the Vitamin C content of both the epidermis and dermis.
WHAT IS THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF VITAMIN C TO TAKE?
The UK Department of Health recommends a daily intake of 40 mg of Vitamin C for adults. This amount is considered sufficient to meet the needs of most individuals and prevent deficiency-related conditions like scurvy. The UK does not have a specific upper limit for Vitamin C intake, but excessive consumption (over 1,000 mg per day) can lead to gastrointestinal disturbances, such as diarrhoea and stomach cramps.
The best way to ensure you have the correct levels of Vitamin C in your body is to eat a healthy diet, with at least five portions of fruit and vegetables. For example, a single satsuma will provide you with about 40% of your recommended daily target of Vitamin C. However, not everyone manages to get their full allowance of Vitamin C from food everyday so topping up your levels with a supplement can help, but it is important to be careful, since Vitamin C is an acid, so some supplements can irritate the stomach. A good idea is to look for a Vitamin C supplement that is ‘buffered’. This means that there is a protective coating around the Vitamin C, so it does not irritate the stomach. Most standard Vitamin C supplements available on the market are not buffered.
Our Active supplement contains 26mg of buffered Vitamin C.
WHAT FOODS CONTAIN VITAMIN C?
Rich sources include fruits like oranges, strawberries, blackcurrants and other berries, kiwi, and guava, as well as vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and spinach.
