Vitamin C is an essential vitamin that is important for many things, including the repair of all tissues in the body, the maintenance of a healthy immune system, and more. While our bodies need it, we don’t produce it naturally, so eating vitamin C-rich foods like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, strawberries, bell peppers, and tomatoes is vital for overall health. But some prefer to take supplements, which may have their benefits, but there are also some risks. Eat this, not that! Health spoke with Sean Marchese, MS, RN, a registered nurse at The Mesothelioma Center with oncology clinical trial experience and over 15 years of direct patient care experience who shares what taking vitamin C daily can do. Read on and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure signs you’ve already had COVID.
Marchese tells us: “Vitamin C is an effective antioxidant that removes harmful particles called free radicals in the body. Reduces oxidative stress caused by long-term inflammation after injury or infection. A daily dose of vitamin C can also support the production of other natural antioxidants, such as vitamin E and tetrahydrobiopterin.”
Marchese explains, “The human immune system helps fight infection, destroy foreign bodies, and reduce disease, but it still needs help from vaccinations and a diet rich in vitamin C and other nutrients. Vitamin C enhances the cellular effects of immune cells such as phagocytes and neutrophils. Daily vitamin C may also help clear dead immune cells after an infection, preventing damage from a buildup of byproducts of immune activity.”
According to Go away, “Most healthy people do not require daily vitamin C supplementation, but a supplement may reduce the risk of some cancers in people who are vitamin C deficient. Vitamin C is also helpful for cancer patients who cannot get all of their nutrients through oral intake or who have increased inflammation or infection due to cancer treatment. Evidence suggests that vitamin C supplementation may help reduce the risk of cancers of the pancreas, esophagus and prostate.
“When taken along with other recommended vitamins and minerals, vitamin C supplements have been shown to reduce eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration and cataracts,” says marquis. “Vitamin C supplementation is unlikely to reverse age-related eye damage, but it may help reduce the risk of decreased visual acuity later in life.”
Marchese states: “Daily intake of vitamin C is not recommended for everyone and may increase the risk of some side effects. Research has shown that high doses of vitamin C every day increase the risk of kidney stones by more than 20% compared to those who took less than the recommended daily allowance of 90 mg.”
Marchesa says: “A diary vitamin c supplement it is typically safe, and excess amounts are eliminated through the urine. However, unnecessarily high levels of vitamin C it can build up in the body over time and cause problems like stomach cramps, vomiting, heartburn, and diarrhea. Elevated levels of vitamin C can dangerously interact with other medications, such as statins (a type of cholesterol medication), the blood thinner warfarin, and hormone replacement therapy, such as estrogen.”
heather newgen
Heather Newgen has two decades of experience reporting and writing on health, fitness, entertainment and travel. Heather currently works as a freelancer for various publications. Read more about Heather
