Five excellent ways Vitamin C supplements boost your health

One of the reasons people use vitamin C supplements is to boost immunity and stay healthy. Vitamin C plays an essential role in many parts of the immune system. For example, your body needs it to form blood vessels, cartilage, muscle, and collagen in bones. Vitamin C is also vital to your body's healing process – to help you recover faster if you were unwell.

Here's why everyone needs Vitamin C;

Common cold recovery

Taking oral vitamin C supplements doesn't mean you will never get colds. However, there's evidence that shows people who regularly take vitamin C supplements are less affected than the average population, which doesn't.

Their illness is known to last fewer days, and the symptoms experienced are less severe. If you suffer frequent colds, especially with changing weather, you may want to take a mental note. However, using a vitamin C supplement only after you develop a cold doesn't help very much. It will, at best, shorten the cold by one day.

Manage high blood pressure

People who put in long hours working or studying are more susceptible to high blood pressure, which could cause heart disease. Studies have shown that vitamin C may help lower blood pressure in both those with and without high blood pressure.

Reduce the risk of chronic disease

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can strengthen your body's natural defenses. Antioxidants are molecules that boost the immune system. They do so by protecting cells from harmful molecules called free radicals. When free radicals accumulate, they are known to cause chronic illnesses. Studies show that consuming more vitamin C can increase your blood antioxidant levels by up to 30%. This reduces the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease.

Prevent iron deficiency

Iron is an important nutrient that's essential for making red blood cells. They are the cells that transport oxygen throughout the body. People that prefer a meat-free diet miss out on iron because the meat is a major source of iron. Simply consuming 100 mg of vitamin C is known to improve iron absorption by 67%. This may help reduce the risk of anemia among people prone to iron deficiency.

Reduce the risk of eye disease

Vitamin C has been linked to reduced risks of eye diseases like cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Some studies also suggest that people who have higher levels of vitamin C in their diets have a lower risk of developing cataracts.

In summary

Vitamin C has been linked to many impressive health benefits, such as boosting antioxidant levels, lowering blood pressure, improving iron absorption, boosting immunity, and reducing heart disease. It is found in many fresh fruits and vegetables. However, not all of us get a consistent supply of fresh fruits every day.

If this is you, consider using Vitamin C supplements instead. They are a great and simple way to boost your Vitamin C intake so that you won't be missing out on all the benefits of this nutrient. You can buy these supplements from your local drugstore, or order online from a licensed retailer.

This health opinion is provided for free to the public courtesy of Portal Pharmacy medical officers.