Vitamin C is an essential vitamin that your body can’t produce, which means you need to get it from external sources such as fruits, vegetables, and dietary supplements. This water-soluble vitamin has many roles in the body and has been linked to a number of impressive health benefits. Here are some of the biggest benefits of taking vitamin C supplements:
1. Boost Immunity
One of the most well-known benefits of taking vitamin C is its ability to boost the immune system. Vitamin C is involved in many areas of the immune system and aids in producing white blood cells, protecting white blood cells from damage, and strengthening the skin’s barriers. Studies have found that taking vitamin C supplements may even shorten wound healing time and cold duration. Low levels of this vitamin have been linked to poor health outcomes and an increased likelihood of illness.
2. Prevent Iron Deficiency
Iron is an important nutrient that has many functions in the body, including making red blood cells and transporting oxygen throughout the body. It’s also one of the most common nutrient deficiencies, especially among people who don’t eat meat. Taking vitamin C supplements can help improve the absorption of iron from the foods you eat. It can also convert poorly absorbed iron like that found in plants into a form that is easier to absorb. Consuming just 100 mg of vitamin C could improve iron absorption by 67 percent and reduce the risk of anemia.
3. Protect Cognitive Function
Vitamin C supplements may help protect your memory and thinking as you age. Dementia affects over 35 million people globally, typically older adults. Research suggests that the risk of dementia may be increased by oxidative stress and inflammation near the central nervous system. Because vitamin C is a strong antioxidant, high intake of this vitamin may help prevent the negative effects of oxidative stress and protect cognitive function as you age. Low levels of vitamin C have also been linked to impaired memory and thinking ability.
4. Lower Risk of Chronic Disease
As a powerful antioxidant, vitamin C can strengthen your body’s natural defenses and boost the immune system by protecting cells from free radicals. Free radicals can cause oxidative stress, which has been linked to a variety of chronic diseases. Increasing your intake of vitamin C can help your body fight the oxidative stress and inflammation associated with conditions like heart disease, osteoarthritis, age-related macular degeneration, diabetes, allergies, and even certain cancers.
5. Manage High Blood Pressure
Roughly one-third of American adults have high blood pressure. Having high blood pressure significantly increases the risk of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death worldwide. Research has shown that vitamin C may help lower blood pressure by relaxing the arteries. In adults with high blood pressure, taking vitamin C supplements reduced diastolic blood pressure by 1.7 mmHg and systolic blood pressure by 4.9 mmHg on average.
6. Prevent Gout Attacks
Gout affects around 4 percent of American adults. This type of arthritis involves inflammation in the joints, especially those of the big toes, and can be very painful. Symptoms of gout appear when there is too much uric acid in the blood. At high levels, this waste product can crystallize and deposit in the joints. Taking vitamin C supplements may reduce levels of uric acid in the blood, resulting in reduced gout attacks. A study even found that people who took vitamin C were at a 44 percent lower risk of developing gout.
Nutritional Assessment at Freedom Functional Medicine
These are just a few of the many benefits of taking vitamin C. Are you interested in learning more about your nutritional health? Here at Freedom Functional Medicine, we offer a Nutritional Assessment to evaluate levels of vitamin C and other key vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in your blood. To learn more and get started, schedule a free consultation with one of our experts today!
