Benefits of Vitamin C

Benefits of Vitamin C is probably one of the best-known antioxidants. If you surveyed a group of people and asked which vitamin boosted the immune system, most of them would immediately say vitamin C. While the benefits of vitamin C aren't limited to its antioxidant powers, it plays a very significant role in our health.

Antioxidants and Your Health

An antioxidant fights free radicals. While you can listen to many different television commercials and hear the word bantered about, many people do not know exactly what either antioxidant or free radical means and how it affects their health.

Free radicals are oxygen radicals, a molecular form of oxygen, with an unequal number of electrons. Since molecules of oxygen are stable if the number of electrons are even, the molecule attempts to bond to other molecules to steal their electron. However, when it bonds, it does two things. The first is set off a chain reaction. The second is to change the chemical composition of the bonded partner.

If the oxygen molecule bonds with the outside membrane of a cell, it changes the soft semi-permeable coating that allows food to enter and waste to exit to a hard coating that does neither. That cell also starts a chain reaction with other cells. If the cell can't rid itself of waste or take in food, it dies. The damage can also occur to the DNA causing mutations.

Antioxidants give up their electron and save the cell from the free radical. If you have enough antioxidants in the body, any damaged cell can eventually divide and many times repair itself. However, if there's not enough and too many cells die, you have disease, aging and eventually death. Vitamin C is one of the more powerful antioxidants and protects all parts of the body through that action.

Immune System

Vitamin C can aid your immune system through its antioxidant protection. However, it also is a building block for the body so it can keep your tissues strong, making them less likely to be attacked.

Collagen Production

The connective tissue that holds the skin in place, and keeps it firm is collagen. Vitamin C is one of the elements required to create healthy connective tissue. This protects the skin as well as all parts of the body and allows the body to heal wounds faster.

Lowering Blood Pressure

Another of the benefits of Vitamin C is to aid in the control of hypertension. Many studies show that it's beneficial in reducing blood pressure. That makes it a true benefit to your cardiovascular system.

Blood Vessels and Arteries

If you find yourself bruising easily, you might have a vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C not only insures that the blood vessels dilate properly, it also aids in the prevention of congestive heart failure, atherosclerosis, angina pectoris and stroke. People with inadequate amounts of vitamin C often have weak vessel walls, allowing the vessels to burst easily. If this occurs in the brain, you suffer from a stroke.Gum Disease

Bleeding gums can be an indication of gingivitis but it also may be an indication that you're in need of vitamin C. If you're gums bleed but you have good oral hygiene, try vitamin C supplements to see if the condition clears. Since vitamin C is water-soluble, your body should excrete the excess but it's still wise to discuss the dosage with your health care specialist.

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