Vitamin C Benefits

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Vitamin C Benefitsby Vicki Koenig, MS, RD, CDN While the Wellness Moosletter doesn’t usually focus on a singular nutrient, we’re pretty excited about new Stonyfield Farm Organic Juice Smoothies which provide 100% of the RDA for Vitamin C! While the benefits of Vitamin C surely benefit kids, they’re not a bad idea for grownups, too. Here’s why: Vitamin C FunctionsThe primary function of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is as a water-soluble antioxidant. Vitamin C helps in the production of collagen, (the building block of connective tissue in bones, teeth, and cartilage), which is important to all of our bodies. Because it supports collagen and blood vessel walls, it’s vital in wound healing and

minimizing bruising.Much has been written on Vitamin C and immunity. While no one can agree on exactly how much is beneficial, it has been shown to boost the bacteria-killing ability of certain immune cells called macrophages and neutrophils. Some authorities believe that Vitamin C also stimulates production of interferon, an important chemical in the immune system, and that it improves the thymus gland's ability to make infection-fighting lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Add to this the immune benefits associated with six live active cultures and Stonyfield Farm’s Juice Smoothies are a strong defense to staying well. Studies Reveal these Relationships Associated with Vitamin C:Children with asthma who consume a Vitamin C-rich diet have fewer symptoms. Vitamin C is a major antioxidant present in lung tissue. Consumption of fresh fruit rich in Vitamin C

(citrus fruits and kiwifruit as an example) has been found to have a beneficial effect on children with asthma. Symptoms of wheezing, nocturnal cough, and chronic cough were significantly reduced in children who consumed fresh fruit at least weekly. Vitamin C intake in the general population is inversely associated with the incidence of asthma, suggesting that a diet low in Vitamin C is a risk factor for asthma. Vitamin C is associated with improved lung function in smokers. Researchers from Cornell University and the Academy of Medicine in Beijing looked at the lung capacity of 3,085 smokers in rural China. People with more Vitamin C in their diet had greater lung volume—meaning they could exhale more air than those eating less of the vitamin. Eat a diet high in Vitamin C and live longer. In a study published in the Lancet, 19,496 men and women aged 45-79 years were followed for 4 years. Participants were followed for cause

of death. Blood ascorbic acid concentration was conversely related to mortality from all-causes and cardiovascular disease in men and women The results indicated that small increases in fruit and vegetables of about one serving daily has encouraging prospects for possible prevention of disease. It is suggested that marginal deficiencies of Vitamin C may play a role in the development of cancer, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, decreased immunity, diabetes, macular degeneration and cataracts. Much of the data focuses on eating Vitamin C sources from food vs. taking supplements. Adding more Vitamin C into the diet, even from one serving of a Vitamin C-rich food can have a major impact on our health. Suzi What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered. health/ http://suziesgoats.wholefoodfarmacy.com/

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