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It is treated mainly as a remedy for colds and immunity, and few people know that vitamin C has many other – often more valuable – properties. What’s more, using it as a flu and cold medicine is a mistake. Vitamin C supports immunity, but during infection, it does not relieve its symptoms or shorten its duration. Still, taking it regularly (before we catch the virus) will reduce the risk of catching a cold. However, vitamin C has definitely more interesting benefits that we should be interested in!
Ascorbic acid is of great importance for the proper functioning of the body, because it is involved in many processes necessary for life. Vitamin C has also been used in cosmetics, as it is considered to be an exceptionally strong antioxidant that prevents skin aging.
Deficiency symptoms. Who should supplement with ascorbic acid?
The demand for vitamin C is higher when we are subjected to heavy and long-term physical exercise, during vomiting, in the elderly, during bowel dysfunction, lack of appetite, in smokers, with diabetes, hypertension, pregnant and lactating women, and also in people under severe stress. Basic deficiency symptoms:
- No appetite
- Weakness,
- getting tired quickly,
- Swollen and bleeding gums,
- Joint and muscle pain,
- frequent occurrence of bruises,
- Hard-to-heal wounds.
Deficiency of this ingredient can cause weakening of the capillaries and lead to anemia, because vitamin C participates in the absorption of iron. It can cause diseases caused by free radical damage, changes in bones and cartilages, asthma and scurvy.
What does vitamin C do. A list of its valuable properties
In addition to supporting immunity, ascorbic acid strengthens and seals blood vessels. Therefore, it prevents the formation of bruises, hemorrhages and bleeding gums. In addition, it inhibits pathological atherosclerotic changes, because it reduces the oxidation of bad cholesterol. It is also used in the treatment of hypertension, protection against anemia. Vitamin C in the body reduces the risk of stroke by as much as 42%.
This extraordinary vitamin has also been appreciated in the treatment of cancer. Administration of high doses of ascorbic acid in the form of injections along with anti-cancer drugs accelerates the killing of cancer cells and also alleviates the side effects of radio and chemotherapy.
Vitamin C is also a way to keep your bones and joints healthy. It takes part in the process of creating collagen, which is a component of joint cartilage. Thanks to its high concentration, we will reduce the risk of injury.