Vitamin C Benefits, Overdose, and Deficiency Symptoms

When most people think about vitamin C, they immediately think of a vitamin that will keep them from getting a cold.

Although vitamin C is known for its ability to fight off colds, it also has many other health benefits.

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin and essential nutrient available in many fresh fruits and vegetables.

Vitamin C or ascorbic acid as seen on many food labels as an added nutrient breaks down in foods that are heated and in foods that have been sitting on the shelves for too long.

Yes, it is true that vitamin C protects your immune system. It also helps you fight off infections and promotes would healing.

It is a little known fact that vitamin C can also lessen the severity of allergic reactions. So to all you "pollen-haters" out there, take a vitamin C supplement during spring and summer months.

Vitamin C is also important for healthy tissue, collagen, and cartilage growth.

Vitamin C does for meat what it does for our bodies; it acts as an antioxidant and prevents free radicals from doing damage.

Processed meats like bacon are preserved with vitamin C. This form of vitamin C protects the meat from yucky bacteria and organisms that could cause harmful food poisoning.

As an antioxidant, it protects cells from the toxic wastes and free radicals that we encounter daily. It also promotes the production of new cells.

facts vitamin c, did you know that

Bioflavnoids are active nutrients that are associated with vitamin C. Although, bioflavnoids are not actually vitamins, you can find them in vitamin C rich foods.

These beneficial chemicals act as a potent antioxidant to slow down the aging process and protect your cardiovascular system.

With all that vitamin C does, it's no wonder that it is the most popular of all supplements taken in the United States.

Vitamin C Deficiency and Overdose Side Efffects

People with a deficiency in vitamin C develop scurvy which is usually referred to as the vitamin C-deficiency disease.

Symptoms of Vitamin C Deficiency (Scurvy)
bleeding gums

tooth loss



painful or swollen joints

slow wound healing

muscle pain

skin rashes

shortness of breath

increased risk of infections

Due to the fact that vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin and excess is usually passed through the urine, overdoses are rare.

Overdoses mostly occur when a mega amount of vitamin C is taken at one time instead of in smaller doses. Side effects of a vitamin C overdose will usually include an upset stomach, diarrhea, or constipation.

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