Vitamin C FAQ

We all know vitamin C is vital for keeping our bodies healthy but what does vitamin C do? Why does Viridian have so many vitamin C food supplements? Which one is best for me? We explain its role, the benefits, how to choose this nutrient when buying it and more in our handy guide.

 

 

What is vitamin C good for?

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient and responsible for many bodily functions. However, our body cannot produce vitamin C as we lack the necessary enzyme to convert glucose into vitamin C.  It is a water-soluble vitamin, which means that the body cannot store the nutrient and we have to rely on eating vitamin C rich foods daily.

Here are some essential roles of vitamin C:

• Contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of bones, cartilage, gums, skin, and teeth.
• Supports normal psychological function and nervous system function.
• Contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
• Helps with the protection of cells from oxidative stress, within this role it contributes to the regeneration of the reduced form of vitamin E.  
• increases iron absorption.
• Contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism.

Which food is highest in vitamin C?

INSERT IMAGE - FRUIT AND VEG 

Some of the best sources of vitamin C come from guava, bell peppers, broccoli, and berries besides kiwi fruit, kale, papaya, and citrus fruit.  However, those eaten raw are the best sources as vitamin C is denatured (loses its nutritional value) through chopping, cooking, and light. For cruciferous vegetables, we recommend cooking these, ideally steamed.

How can I increase my vitamin C?

A great way to increase your vitamin C intake is to include vitamin C rich foods at each meal.  For example, top porridge with berries at breakfast, have a side salad with your lunch and prepare a mixed fruit salad for dessert for after your evening meal.

However, there can be times when meal preparation is limited or difficult and so taking an additional vitamin c food supplement or adding it to food such, eg acerola cherry powder to a pre-prepared smoothie, can be useful options.

What happens if I don’t get enough vitamin C?

The signs of vitamin C deficiency include increased bruising, ageing, poor skin condition, bleeding gums, fatigue and brain fog. Poor or low vitamin C status may be brought on by poor diet, cultural practices, the season, the climate, and socio-economic factors. Other common factors which can causes an individual to have greater vitamin C requirements, are smoking, excessive alcohol intake, and pollution. 

Severe or chronic vitamin C deficiency leads to scurvy, which affects skin, gums and bones and brain function. It causes the breakdown of collagen in blood vessels, impaired nervous system, and fatigue. Fortunately, scurvy is rare in developed countries.

How much vitamin C should I take daily?

The minimum recommended intake for an adult is 40mg, however larger doses have been used in research.  It is considered that an individual can absorb approximately 250mg of vitamin C at any one time, consequently as vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, any excess would leave the body in urine.  For general health 100-500mg daily can be supportive of skin, gums, teeth, bones, blood vessels, psychological and central nervous system function.  However, at the onset of an infection up to 2000mg daily may be beneficial.

Why does Viridian have so many vitamin C supplements?

Individuals may need different amounts of vitamin C at differing points in their life or for health reasons; the Viridian Nutrition Vitamin C range addresses these differing doses.  For example, a child would need less than an adult, plus if an individual is living in a polluted environment or currently has the common cold a greater amount may be necessary.

Vitamin C is also a versatile nutrient. It is available as a powder, liquid and capsule as a food supplement. The vitamin C range gives individuals greater flexibility for supplementation eg they may prefer to mix powder into water as opposed to swallow a capsule.  Additionally, those following an organic lifestyle can choose from our Organic Acerola Cherry C Collection.

Viridian Nutrition vitamin C food supplements are vegan and free from gluten, nuts, dairy, fish, shellfish, and soy. As with all Viridian food supplements, they are never-GMO, palm oil free, against animal testing and ethically made.

What’s the best form of vitamin C supplement for me?

Photo caption: Extra C for increased absorption.

Viridian’s Extra C is a high potency form of vitamin C developed and clinically researched to deliver enhanced absorption and retention. This formulation contains a perfect blend of ascorbic acid, citrus bioflavonoids and a fatty acid.

 

Photo caption: Vitamin C + Zinc is gentler on the stomach.

Viridian’s Vitamin C + Zinc formulation contains ascorbic acid bound with zinc, magnesium and calcium.  This process is called mineral chelation and creates naturally alkaline compounds.  Subsequently, buffered vitamin C is preferred by those with a sensitive stomach or experience acidity. Viridian’s Vitamin C + Zinc formulation is available in capsules or as a powder.

What is the best fruit sourced vitamin C supplement?

Photo caption: Organic Acerola Cherry Collection contains fruit sourced vitamin C.

If you are seeking organic vitamin C food supplements, we recommend Viridian’s Acerola Cherry collection. Acerola cherries is a rich source of vitamin C, delivering up to 30x more vitamin C than oranges, making it a potent natural source ideal to support immunity. There are 3 supplements in the range, the easy to dissolve Organic Acerola Cherry C powder can be mixed in juices, smoothies or mixed into cold, soft foods, whilst children may prefer a liquid formula such as our Viridikid Vitamin C Drops, and for adults there is Organic Acerola Liquid C.

 

Once harvested the acerola cherries are freeze dried to lock in nutrients and ensure the highest possible vitamin C content. These are delicious tasting fruit sourced supplements great for the whole family.

Additionally, buying Viridian’s Soil Association certified organic acerola sourced supplements guarantees the fruit has been grown without the use of chemical pesticides and fertilisers. The Soil Association awarding body sets the gold standard for organic certification. This rigorous standard requires farming practices that are sympathetic to wildlife, protect the environment and protect human health.

The Acerola Cherry Collection is perfect for those following an organic lifestyle, experience chemical sensitivity, care about planetary health and wish to consume nutrients in their original state. 

Can you take too much vitamin C?

It can be attractive to think more is better, however this is not the case and with nutrients there is a sweet spot for every one of them.  In terms of vitamin C, a common side effect of taking too much vitamin C is loose bowels, flatulence, and bloating.  If you require larger doses of vitamin C it would be advisable to slowly increase the dose over time to assess your personal tolerance level.  Some practitioners use short-term high dose vitamin C as a solution to constipation.  If you suffer with constipation, please discuss any potential supplementation with your GP before using excessive doses of vitamin C.

When during the day should you take vitamin C?

Vitamin C is best taken with a meal. It may be worthwhile taking a supplement with one that does not contain too many vitamin C rich foods, to avoid overloading the vitamin C carriers.  The carriers that transport vitamin C around the body once it is absorbed, also carry glucose.  Therefore, eliminating sugar from the diet when consuming additional vitamin C can be beneficial.  This can reduce the risk of glucose saturating the carriers and so inhibiting the uptake of vitamin C.

How long does it take for vitamin C to work?

Vitamin C is absorbed rapidly in the body. The presence of vitamin C in the cells has been recorded as quickly as 30 minutes after consumption.  However, the body does not have a storage mechanism for vitamin C and in general it is not retained in our system for long periods of time.  For optimum nutrition, vitamin C should be taken at several intervals in the day to maintain a good status. An example is taking a vitamin C food supplement and then throughout the day, eating vitamin C rich food.

What should I look for when buying supplements?

Choose high quality food supplements provide 100% active ingredients.  This means a food supplement that does not contain fillers, binders, added sugar, flavourings, or dye.  Such compounds are called excipients and they do not provide any nutrition or benefits to human health.  They allow a larger volume of food supplements to be manufactured cheaply, produce visually identical tablets, and deodorise any natural taste or odour. So, it’s really important to read the label. For optimum health, choose organic supplements where possible – better for the planet and better for you.

 When choosing Viridian Nutrition food supplements, you can be assured that active nutrients are combined, where needed, with a wholefoods blend of alfalfa, spirulina, and bilberry so that every capsule is 100% nutrition.

If you have any food supplement queries, please contact your local health food store for advice at www.findahealthstore.com