When it comes to functionality and features, no nutrient can claim more benefits, as well as gentleness, than plain old vitamin C. Technically known as Ascorbic Acid, the multi-purpose molecule is critical for the immune system and has important antibacterial and antiviral properties.
Ascorbic Acid is a key player in the construction of connective tissue and, while full-blown vitamin C deficiency disease (a.k.a. scurvy) is a rare occurrence, more milder forms of the illness may be behind osteoporosis, arthritis, cardiomyopathy, as well as wrinkles and accelerated skin aging.
What’s more, the sub-acute scurvy may show up as an inability to handle the inevitable duress of day-to-day life. Vitamin C is a critical cofactor for the production of steroid hormones and there’s more vitamin c stored in the adrenal glands than almost any other part of the body.
With physical illness and psychological turmoil the body burns through vitamin C and needs increase. For older men and women vitamin C deficiencies can exacerbate the effects of hormonal changes associated with aging.
While many people believe that the recommended daily allowance of 100 milligrams is sufficient, as it turns out, for maximum health benefits, it’s probably a good idea to take a gram or two every day for best results using divided doses or add Ascorbic Acid powder to water and sip on it all day long. Don’t take too much all at once though. While it’s non-toxic, large doses can cause some cramping bloating or digestive discomfort.
