Do You Know These Benefits of Vitamin C?
We hope everyone is well and healthy.
In our last letter we shared a quick video about meditation, how it can be done anywhere at any time. We hope you’ve been able to take many moments everyday to practice.
As I notice the thoughts that arise during my meditations, I will occasionally reflect on one of my actions. For example, recently, I felt compelled to get a vitamin C supplement because my sister loves it. Her fervor is so great I’m going to type it again. Loves it. She wholeheartedly believes it’s good for anything that ails you. We grew up being told vitamin C is supposed to be good for us but being the curious questioner I am I asked why? When I set out to research vitamin C I had no idea the depth of information I’d find. It's on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Vitamins and Minerals(1). It’s considered essential because we need it for the following (and this is by no means an exhaustive list):
collagen synthesis: an important component in all of our connective tissue*;
immune system: uses more of it during times of illness(2);
production of a compound called carnitine that ensures cellular function and health(3);
as an antioxidant: to prevent the reduction of nitrates to carcinogenic nitrites (when fat isn’t also present in the stomach)(4);
iron metabolism, toxin removal, and wound healing(5).
For all the necessity of this water soluble nutrient in our biological functioning, the human body can’t make it. This is why it’s necessary in our diet whether it be via food or oral supplement.
I’ve learned vitamin C levels found naturally in food are not consistent due to seasonal changes and other grow conditions. Oral vitamin C supplements are most typically ascorbic acid. You’ll also see ascorbic acid on ingredient labels as a food preservative. Ascorbic acid is chemically produced from corn, the genetically modified, government subsidized kind. Little does everyone know I developed an allergy to corn in 2016. So I couldn’t just get a vitamin C supplement. I had to search for one I could have. Turns out citrus fruits are not the most efficient source. The alternative supplement to ascorbic acid I’ve settled on is acerola cherry to put into my occasional smoothie and homemade jellos. It makes everything so tart!
If you feel compelled to start supplementing, note that absorption of oral vitamin C at 30-180mg/day is 70-90% but falls to less than 50% when more than 1g/day is consumed.
I could keep going on this topic but it's time for lunch with my daughter. If you’re interested in learning more:
Next week I’ll be featuring one of my favorite small NYC businesses. If you’re a bibliophile then next week is all about you!
Until next we meet!
Mahalo;
Mrs. Bob
*Without this synthesis it can lead to the severest symptoms of scurvy which though rare still happens in our modern age.
Sources:
(1) https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/325771
(2) http://doc.rero.ch/record/303675/files/S0029665108006927.pdf
(3) https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/#h7
(4) https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070903204800.htm
(5) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6446126/