Vitamins & Supplements / Vitamins: C -- MaggiesCottage.com Shopping Cart

<table border="0" title="MaggiesCottage.com" summary="MaggiesCottage.com"> <tr> <td><h1><a href="http://stores.maggiescottage.com/Category360">Vitamins & Supplements</a> / Vitamins: C</h1></td> </tr> </table> <table width="500" height="39" align="center"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center">Vitamin C, & Bioflavonoid <h3>Vitamin C<u1:p _moz-userdefined=""></u1:p><o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p></h3> Function    <o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p> Vitamin C is required for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of your body. It is necessary to form collagen, an important protein used to make skin, scar tissue, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. Vitamin C is essential for the healing of wounds, and for the repair and maintenance of cartilage, bones, and teeth.<o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p> Vitamin C is one of many antioxidants. Vitamin E and beta-carotene are two other well-known antioxidants. Antioxidants are nutrients that block some of the damage caused by free radicals, which are by-products that result when our bodies transform food into energy.<o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p> The build up of these by-products over time is largely responsible for the aging process and can contribute to the development of various health conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and a host of inflammatory conditions like arthritis. Antioxidants also help reduce the damage to the body caused by toxic chemicals and pollutants such as cigarette smoke.<o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p> The body does not manufacture vitamin C on its own, nor does it store it. It is therefore important to include plenty of vitamin C-containing foods in your daily diet.<o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p> Food Sources    <o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p> All fruits and vegetables contain some amount of vitamin C. Foods that tend to be the highest sources of vitamin C include green peppers, citrus fruits and juices, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, turnip greens and other leafy greens, sweet and white potatoes, and cantaloupe.<o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p> Other excellent sources include papaya, mango, watermelon, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, winter squash, red peppers, raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, and pineapples.<o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p> Side Effects   <o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p> Vitamin C toxicity is very rare, because the body cannot store the vitamin. However, amounts greater than 2,000 mg/day are not recommended because such high doses can lead to stomach upset and diarrhea.<o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p> Too little vitamin C can lead to signs and symptoms of deficiency, including:<o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p> <ul type="disc"> <li style="" class="MsoNormal">Dry and splitting hair<o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p></li> <li style="" class="MsoNormal">Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) <o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p></li> <li style="" class="MsoNormal">Bleeding gums<o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p></li> <li style="" class="MsoNormal">Rough, dry, scaly skin<o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p></li> <li style="" class="MsoNormal">Decreased wound-healing rate<o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p></li> <li style="" class="MsoNormal">Easy bruising<o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p></li> <li style="" class="MsoNormal">Nosebleeds<o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p></li> <li style="" class="MsoNormal">Weakened tooth enamel<o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p></li> <li style="" class="MsoNormal">Swollen and painful joints<o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p></li> <li style="" class="MsoNormal">Anemia<o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p></li> <li style="" class="MsoNormal">Decreased ability to fight infection<o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p></li> <li style="" class="MsoNormal">Possible weight gain because of slowed metabolism<o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p></li> </ul> A severe form of vitamin C deficiency is known as scurvy, which mainly affects older, malnourished adults.<o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p> Recommendations    <o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p> The best way to get the daily requirement of essential vitamins, including vitamin C, is to eat a balanced diet that contains a variety of foods from the food guide pyramid.<o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p> Vitamin C should be consumed every day because it is not fat-soluble and, therefore, cannot be stored for later use.<o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p> The Food and Nutrition Board at the Institute of Medicine recommends the following amounts of vitamin C:<o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p> Infants and Children<o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p> <ul type="disc"> <li style="" class="MsoNormal">0 - 6 months: 40 milligrams/day (mg/day)<u1:p _moz-userdefined=""></u1:p><o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p></li> <li style="" class="MsoNormal">7 - 12 months: 50 mg/day<u1:p _moz-userdefined=""></u1:p><o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p></li> <li style="" class="MsoNormal">1 - 3 years: 15 mg/day<u1:p _moz-userdefined=""></u1:p><o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p></li> <li style="" class="MsoNormal">4 - 8 years: 25 mg/day<u1:p _moz-userdefined=""></u1:p><o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p></li> <li style="" class="MsoNormal">9 - 13 years: 45 mg/day<u1:p _moz-userdefined=""></u1:p><o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p></li> </ul> Adolescents<o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p> <ul type="disc"> <li style="" class="MsoNormal">Girls 14 - 18 years: 65 mg/day<u1:p _moz-userdefined=""></u1:p><o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p></li> <li style="" class="MsoNormal">Boys 14 - 18 years: 75 mg/day<u1:p _moz-userdefined=""></u1:p><o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p></li> </ul> Adults<o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p> <ul type="disc"> <li style="" class="MsoNormal">Men age 19 and older: 90 mg/day<u1:p _moz-userdefined=""></u1:p><o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p></li> <li style="" class="MsoNormal">Women age 19 year and older: 75 mg/day<u1:p _moz-userdefined=""></u1:p><o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p></li> </ul> Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and those who smoke need higher amounts. Ask your doctor what is best for you. <o:p _moz-userdefined=""></o:p> <center>Bioflavonoids</center> What do they do? Bioflavonoids are a class of water-soluble plant pigments. While they are not considered essential, they do support health as anti-inflammatory, antihistaminic, and anti-viral agents. They block the “sorbitol pathway” that is linked to many symptoms of diabetes. Bioflavonoids also protect blood vessels and reduce platelet aggregation (acting as natural blood thinners). As antioxidants, some bioflavonoids, such as quercetin, protect LDL-cholesterol from oxidative damage. Others, such as the anthocyanidins from bilberry, may help protect the lens of the eye from cataracts. Preliminary evidence suggests that some bioflavonoids, such as naringenin, may have anticancer activity. Where are they found? Bioflavonoids are found in a wide range of foods. For example, citrus flavonoids are found in citrus fruits, rutin in buckwheat, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in green tea, anthocyanidins in bilberry, and naringenin in grapefruit. In addition, OPCs, or oligomeric proanthocyanidins, are found in grape seeds and skins, and quercetin is found in many foods, including onions, tea, and apples.   </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <a href="http://stores.maggiescottage.com" title="MaggiesCottage.com Products">MaggiesCottage.com Products</a> <a href="http://MaggiesCottage.com">natural soap</a> <a href="http://MaggiesCottage.com">natural bath & body</a> <a href="http://MaggiesCottage.com">organic soap</a> <a href="http://MaggiesCottage.com">organic food</a> <a href="http://MaggiesCottage.com">natural supplements</a> <a href="http://MaggiesCottage.com">natural herbs</a> <a href="http://MaggiesCottage.com">natural pet food</a> <a href="http://MaggiesCottage.com">natural pet care</a> <a href="http://MaggiesCottage.com">relaxation gifts</a> MaggiesCottage.com <a href="http://www.nexternal.com" title="shopping cart">shopping cart</a> powered by Nexternal

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