Vitamin C: Essential for Preventing Disease
Updated: Mar 21, 2022
Nothing works in isolation in the body. Human beings are so complex that it's a good thing the majority of processes happen automatically! You guessed it, of course today's message ties in with Day 1 and 2 (inflammation).
Day 3: Vitamin C
There are many vitamins and minerals that are essential for preventing disease. Most were discovered on accident, like the most familiar being Vitamin C, which was discovered by sailors who were out to sea for months at a time without perishables back in the 1930's. The sailors developed scurvy which is characterized by bleeding gums and fatigue and wounds that reopen. This was the beginning of modern nutrition and the realization that not only does nutrition have a big impact on our health, but that the body can store vitamins and minerals for a long time - in this case, months, thereby preventing the need to eat "perfectly".
Vitamin C exists most commonly in citrus fruits like oranges. It also is abundant in strawberries, kiwi, tomatoes, and broccoli. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning that if you take too much you will just discard it through urination. Its role in the body is to help your brain produce neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, all in charge of making you feel a sense of calm and happiness, ready to take on the world!
it is also essential in repairing tissues such as when you cut your finger as well as help you keep your skin elastic since it is involved in the formation of collagen. Put simply, Vitamin C is regarded as an antioxidant which helps fight free radicals from all of the toxins we ingest, including pollution. It is also needed for healing to keep your immune system in tip top shape.
Try incorporating 1 cup of strawberries (about 8) on top of your oatmeal or pack an orange in your purse or bag so that you can always be prepared in-between means during the week.
Jen Pfeilfer, MS, APD
Dr. Thomas R. Schneider, Medical Director