Health Benefits of Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an essential water soluble vitamin that is not made in the body and must be supplied in the diet either as supplements or present in fresh fruits and vegetables. Vitamin C performs numerous functions in the body some of the main functions include the formation of collagen, to promote wound healing, and to boost immune functions. Other functions are mentioned and discussed. Drugs, such as aspirin, antibiotics, oral contraceptives and heavy metals interfere with vitamin C function in the body. People who are most susceptible to vitamin C deficiency include those patients afflicted with AIDS, chronic diseases such as hyperthyroidism, ulcers, hemodialysis, surgery and cancers. It is therefore imperative that a good source of vitamin C be supplied in the diet or provided via supplements on a daily basis in order to maintain health and well being.

What is vitamin C?
Vitamin C is an organic molecule that is not made in the body and is essential to the biological processes of higher organisms. It is also known as ascorbic acid or calcium ascorbate (Ester-C) or sodium ascorbate. It functions mainly in hydroxylation reactions such as the formation of hydroxyproline in collagen. Vitamin C deficiency often leads to degeneration of connective tissue resulting in scurvy.
What are the possible functions of vitamin C in the body?
* Assist in the rapid breakdown of alcoholic containing substances in the body.
* Reduces the risk of stroke.
* Assists in the formation of teeth and bone.
* Reduce the time taken for wound healing.
* Increases iron absorption in the body.
* Reduce the severity of allergic and asthmatic attacks by reducing the levels of histamine.
* Boost immune functions and provides increased protection against infections.
* Reduces blood sugar.
* Reduces heavy metals such as lead in the blood by the process of chelation.
* Increases life expectancy by as much as six years.
* Assist in the production of collagen, the basic structural protein found in teeth, bones, gums, and blood vessels.
* Assist in the mopping up of free radicals and prevention of oxidative damage.
* Delays, prevents or reduces the effects of oxidative damage.
* Protects against cancer, cataracts and aged-related macular degeneration.
* Reduces blood pressure.
* Reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Negative effects of large doses of vitamin C:
A large dose of vitamin C may be any dose equal to or greater than 2000 mg vitamin C per day.
* Stomach upset.
* Diarrhea.
* Kidney stones.
* Nausea.
Substances that reduce the effectiveness of vitamin C:
* Aspirin.
* Tobacco.
* Barbiturates.
* Mineral oil.
* Oral contraceptive.
* Salicylates.
* Sulfur drugs.
* Tetracyclines.
* Anti-cholinergics.
* Oral anticoagulants.
* Heavy metals.
Stability and availability of vitamin C:
* Sensitive to air, heat, light, alkalis and copperware.
* Food processing and packaging decreases vitamin C content.
* Vitamin C content in opened containers decrease by 2 % per day.
* Vitamin C is eliminated from the body every 12 h and must be replenished over a 24h period in order to have a sustained beneficial effect.
* Fresh sources of vitamin C are always recommended.
What are some of the common symptoms associated with vitamin C deficiency?
* Ineffective use of nutrients such as iron, B vitamins, vitamins A & E, calcium and certain amino acids.
* Swollen gums.
* Low resistance to infections.
* Frequent colds and coughs.
* Bleeding gums.
* Inflammation of gums.
* Loose teeth.
* Loss of teeth.
* Bleeding under the skin.
* Muscle weakness.
* Tiredness.
* Mental fatigue.
* Depression.
* Brittle skin and nails.
* Slow or prolonged healing of wounds.
Who are the people most likely to suffer from vitamin C deficiency?
* AIDS patients.
* Alcoholics.
* Cancer patients.
* Burn victims.
* People with diarrheal diseases.
* People with prolonged fever.
* People with prolonged infection.
* People with intestinal diseases.
* Patients with endocrine dysfunction such as hyperthyroidism.
* Patients with stomach problems such as ulcers.
* People undergoing stressful conditions.
* Infants on deficient formulas.
* Patients on hemodialysis.
* Patients undergoing surgery.
* People who smoke tobacco.
* People who are diagnosed with tuberculosis.
* People exposed to low temperatures for long periods or hypothermia.
What are the major sources of vitamin C?
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of vitamin C for women is 75 mg. The RDA of vitamin C for men is 90 mg. The RDAs of vitamin C for pregnant women and for those who are breast feeding are 85 mg and 120 mg, respectively.
* Broccoli.
* Strawberries.
* Cranberries.
* Citrus fruits e.g. lemons, oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, tomatoes
* Green peppers.
* Brussels sprouts.
* Honeydew.
* Cantaloupe.
* Potato with skin.

Conclusion:
Vitamin C is an essential vitamin, which is not made in the body and must be obtained from external sources such as fresh fruits, vegetables or supplements. It plays an essential role in collagen formation, tissue repair, and immune function. Vitamin C deficiency leads to scurvy, poor wound healing, increased susceptibility to infection, colds and coughs. The RDA for vitamin C is different among the sexes and also among pregnant and those who are breast feeding. A good source of vitamin C is any dose between 75 mg to 120 mg per day. Large doses of vitamin C such as those exceeding 2000 mg may lead to stomach, intestinal and kidney problems. Vitamin C is broken down in the body approximately every 12 hours and not stored in the body and because of these facts vitamin C should be consumed on a regular basis to ensure optimum health and well being.

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Raw Food Health Solutions for Asthma

Asthma is one of the most common chronic illnesses in the world, affecting millions of people. Asthma affects the tubes which aerate the lungs. The disease causes the walls of the airways to become swollen and in the process, they contract, thus reducing the path for the air, and thus less oxygen is allowed into the body. This usually happens when the airways are inflamed as a result of an allergic reaction. And the disease manifests mostly in the morning or at night and is accompanied by wheezing, where someone makes a whistling sound whilst breathing, as well as feeling tight in the chest cavity.

More than 20 million people in America are currently suffering from the disease that has no known cure yet. Worldwide, an estimated 300 million also have asthma. But even with lack of cure, asthma can be managed and many people who have it show little or no symptoms. Yet, asthma attacks may vary from a person to a person as well as from time to time. And the symptoms may be present for a few minutes or up to several days. Severe asthma attacks are rare and even less are fatal, but some may require emergency treatment if there is little oxygen reaching the vital body parts.

What Causes Asthma?

What exactly causes asthma is still a matter of conjecture. Studies suggest that there is a hereditary element involving antibodies associated with allergic reactions. In addition, contacts with environmental allergens may precipitate an asthmatic attack or symptoms. Droppings of dustmites, cockroaches, pollens, some proteins, enzymes, feathers and hair are examples of environmental allergens.

Other elements that may cause or worsen asthma include vapors, tobacco smoke and fumes. Certain types of drugs may also precipitate asthma symptoms, especially beta-blockers that are used to treat hypertension, heart disease, glaucoma and the like. A significant percentage of adults have been known to exhibit asthma-like symptoms after being treated with Aspirin and ibuprofen. Most food preservatives contain sulfites and these chemicals are known to trigger asthma attacks in some people. Other factors that may contribute to appearance of asthma symptoms may include pregnancy, menstruation, mild exercises and cold air.

How can I Prevent Asthma?

Controlling environmental factors that lead to exacerbation of asthma symptoms may be a good place to start. The environmental factors were discussed before. Controlling these factors might include any of the following:

1. Removing stuffed animals and pets from the bedroom.

2. Washing pillowcases and beddings with water having temperatures of about 130 F.

3. Avoid sitting on upholstered furniture or in a dusty place like the floor.

4. Keep the washrooms clean and remove any moulds.

5. Stop smoking.

What Raw Foods Can I Eat to Prevent and Reduce the Effects of Asthma?

There are several things that you can do to reduce the effects of asthma, including these raw foods:

* Soaked Nuts

* Garlic- you can use this on a salad

* Raw onions

* Most fruits and vegetables have powerful healing agents

Each of these raw foods can help your digestive system as well as then contain powerful enzymes that help reduce the effects of asthma on your body. In addition, drink plenty of water as a deficiency can exacerbate the effects of asthma on your body.

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Jogging Solutions to Improve Your Health

Jogging is the superior strategy to decide if you happen to looking for the best exercise that would be completely all natural. The majority don't take into consideration that a lot of people been Jogging or jogging for exercise for eons, in places around the world, before there had been ever wellness gyms or stair stepping machines. Now, when finding a leading sedentary lives inside them for hours difficulty with their own health and weight, Jogging can certainly be a fantastic way to make contact with a proper state. Listed here are a handful of new ways to get the best enjoy any jogging or Jogging routine.

The best methods to maintain jogging fun and challenging is to discover partner or group. It's okay in case you plan to run alone, but that has a partner are often very motivational. Advertising media are with someone, you might be more unlikely to give up too quickly. It could be fun to get to chat with, although you wouldn't like this in becoming a distraction. Nonetheless, you might save the conversation for when you're finished in support of look into jogging. Jogging along with a partner or group is definitely an easy way to maintain your activity interesting for yourself.

Jogging could be an enjoyable activity however still a smart idea to study numerous overall health benefits it gives. This information can be used as motivation for the days any time you shouldn't go Jogging. If you stay consistent, jogging is generally easy way shed unwanted weight.

One more excelllent a look at jogging is that it is fantastic for your cardiovascular health insurance and effect make your bones strong. Finally, jogging is known as a highly effective mood enhancer, considering that it produces endorphins, also know as the famous "runner's high." So even though you may don't relish to go jogging if you are feeling down, that is the very best time and energy to go because the endorphins just might help you feel much better.

It's probably that you choose to started your Jogging routine to become a healthier person, however you probably also want to drop some pesky pounds. To get the best from any Jogging or jogging regimen, carefully watch on every morsel of food that retreats into the mouth. Eating the right varieties of foods won't just improve quicker weight reduction, however they gives you the boost of your energy you would like when you go jogging. As you include holistic foods in your daily diet, you will notice that you don't feel sluggish such as you do by consuming bad foods. 

Merely cutting the number of calories you consume, and steering clear of very much processed food and sweet foods, you are going to give yourself significantly more energy on your Running routine. You can expect to feel fit and you will actually drop some weight, too. There are a number of top reasons to start jogging. Jogging as well as makes it possible to lose fat and also improves your total fitness level. It could actually even increase your mood. You can view amazing features from Jogging you need to be consistent. Using the jogging ideas just discussed can help you get started utilizing this simple but powerful exercise.

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