Ascorbic Acid (VITAMIN C)

Also known as: Vitamin C, Ester-C, L-ascorbic acid, L-dehydroascorbic acid.

Ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning that the body doesn’t store the vitamin in large doses.

It is important to consume ascorbic acid daily, as it is required for at least 300 metabolic functions within the body.

Since the body cannot manufacture ascorbic acid on its own, it is important to obtain Vitamin C through the diet or in the form of supplements.

Ascorbic Acid Deficiencies:

A deficiency in ascorbic acid causes the age-old disease scurvy. Characterized by poor wound healing, soft and spongy bleeding gums, edema, extreme weakness and hemorrhages under the skin, this disease plagued armies and sailors for centuries.

Since the discovery of the antiscorbutic (or anti-scurvy) factor in a variety of fruits in 1928, ascorbic acid (better known as Vitamin C) has been artificially produced. Thus ending the deadly reign of scurvy.

While scurvy is not a threat to western societies, ascorbic acid deficiencies still happen.

A recent study indicates that 40 percent of Americans have slight Vitamin C deficiencies. Some symptoms include:

• Gums that bleed when brushed
• Increased susceptibility to  infection
• Joint pains
• Lack of energy
• Poor digestion
• Prolonged wound healing time
• A tendency to bruise easily
• Tooth loss

Smoking also causes a serious depletion in ascorbic acid.

Home Remedies using Vitamin C:

Benefits and Uses of Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C):

Ascorbic acid has been known to be the natural cure for many diseases and ailments.

• Bruises: take 250 to 500mg a day of ascorbic acid with bioflavonoids to prevent and treat bruising.
• Sunburn: take 2 to 3g of ascorbic acid and 400 IU of vitamin E daily to help reduce sunburn severity.
• Hangovers: take 1,000mg before bedtime after a bout of drinking.
• Herpes: take 250 to 500mg twice a day.
• Immune system support: take 500mg three times daily.
• High cholesterol: take up to 3,000mg divided into several doses each day.
• Infertility: take 1,000mg daily.
• Poison ivy: take 1,000mg from two to four times daily.
• Muscle pains and cramps: take up to 1,000mg twice daily with meals.

Ascorbic acid is used for a variety of reasons. From strengthening connective tissue by producing collagen to rounding up and destroying free radicals before they have a chance to harm the body.

Ascorbic acid truly is on your side when it comes to the many health benefits it provides. Ascorbic acid is used to:

• Aid in the production of anti-stress hormones.
• Reduce the symptoms of asthma.
• Protect against the harmful effects of pollution.
• Eliminate toxic substances, such as heavy metals, from the body.
• Reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and raise HDL (good) cholesterol levels.
• Protect against abnormal blood clotting and bruising.

Side Effects of Ascorbic Acid:

People who take aspirin regularly should use an esterified form of Vitamin C separately from aspirin as to prevent ulcers.

Women who are pregnant should not take more than 5,000mg of ascorbic acid a day, as a developing infant may become dependent and develop scurvy after birth.

Consult with your doctor before taking Vitamin C with warfarin.

People with hemochromatosis should consult their doctor before taking ascorbic acid.

Extremely high dosages can occasionally lead to stomach cramps, nausea and diarrhea.

Avoid chewable Vitamin C supplements as these will damage tooth enamel.