Vitamin C is a vastly under appreciated supplement.  Most people only reach for vitamin C to support their immune system to help fight off a cold or the flu.  But we need to take vitamin C every day.

First, did you know that humans do not make vitamin C?  This is something we have in common with guinea pigs.  And monkeys, I think.  Since we do not make vitamin C, we must get that through our diet.  Orange juice used to be a breakfast staple but reports from the citrus industry show that orange juice consumption has dropped by 21% over the last 15 years.  So where else do we get vitamin C?  Here is a list of the top 20 foods that are the best source of vitamin C.  Interestingly, oranges are #20 on this list.

Also, if you read the Sugar Rehab article, then you know that I do not want my patients to drink fruit juice.  Eat the fruit and avoid liquid sugar.

Ok, so why do we need vitamin C if we are not sick?  Allergies. We’ve had a wet winter and that means green things will be growing in abundance this spring.  Our bodies are equipped with mast cells, which release histamine.  They can be come overactive during allergy season which forces people to take anti-histamines.  Vitamin C helps to stabilize mast cells so they don’t release as much histamine.  Allergy sufferers should take vitamin C daily.

Collagen is a protein that makes up our connective tissue, hair, skin and nails.  Vitamin C plays a vital role in the synthesis of collagen. This helps with wound healing and tissue repair, and restores skin elasticity.  Vitamin C may also prevent sun damage.  Anyone with wrinkles, or anyone who wants to avoid wrinkles,  should take vitamin C daily.

Studies show that vitamin C helps lower blood pressure. It relaxes blood vessels and reduces their reaction to noradrenaline, which is triggered by stress.  Please do not rely on vitamin C alone to lower blood pressure, but do incorporate it into your daily regimen along with any medication prescribed to you.

Look for a buffered form of vitamin C to increase absorbability.  Also, quercitin and bioflavonoids work nicely together to with vitamin C to reduce histamine.