Vitamin C- the body’s support vitamin
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that our bodies cannot make or store. It is essential for many functions in the body and is needed for the growth, development and repair of tissues. It has a number of other uses in the body:
- It helps with the absorption of Iron
- It helps with wound healing
- It helps to maintain healthy cartilage, bones and teeth
- Helps with the production of collagen in the skin so helps fight the visible signs of skin aging
It contributes to immune defence by supporting the cellular function of the immune system. It is also a powerful antioxidant so it helps to protect our cells against harmful molecules called free radicals. These free radicals can build up and cause the development of many health problems.
In order to ensure your body is getting enough vitamin C it is important to eat at least 5 portions of fruit and veg a day. Foods such as tomatoes, potatoes, kiwis and broccoli are excellent sources of vitamin C, as well as berries and oranges.
As Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, to get the most vitamin C from the cooked foods you are eating, it is recommended to steam vegetables instead of boiling as this will stop the vitamin being lost to the water it's boiled in. Because the body cannot make or store vitamin C, we must get it from our diets every day as what you eat today will not give you enough Vitamin C for tomorrow.
If you find it difficult to ensure you are getting enough vitamin C you may want to supplement. Our top picks of Vitamin C supplements are liposomal Vitamin C supplements. This is because the vitamin is delivered in a way that is easily absorbed by the body and is the most efficient way to deliver the vitamin into the cells, protecting it against the harsh environment of the digestive system.
Our two top picks of Liposomal Vitamin C are Altrient and YourZooki.
