There are essentially two types of vitamins that humans need on a daily basis: those that are water-soluble and those that are not. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin which means that we need to replenish our supply of this very important vitamin on a daily basis. Medline Plus has this to say about vitamin C:
“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.“

The importance of vitamin C was discovered when sailors on long voyages would develop scurvy. The only ‘cure’ was to eat fruits high in Vitamin C. The British Navy used limes (easily acquired from some of their colonies) and hence the nickname of ‘limey’ to refer to the British came about. Virtually all fruits and vegetables contain at least some vitamin C, but how they are stored and cooked makes a big difference to the amount of vitamin C you get from eating them.

These are your best sources of vitamin C: rose hips (often found in teas), blackcurrant (I love blackcurrant jelly), red pepper, parsley, guava, kiwi fruit, broccoli, brussels sprouts (cooked right these are very tasty), and papaya. Of course, you can also take vitamin C supplements. Unsure about which product to purchase? Check out what the Vitamin C Foundation has to say on the subject.

One important benefit of vitamin C is in the prevention of heart disease, hardening of the arteries and as a good defense against bad cholesterol. I have a copy of “Prevention’s New Encyclopedia of Comon Diseases” which sites a February, 1981, article in the Journal of Human Nutrition about studies done in England with elderly patients suffering from coronary artery disease who benefited from a daily dose of one gram (1,000 milligrams) of vitamin C. Science Daily has an article posted on their Web site about vitamin C health benefits.

Personally, I take 1 gram of vitamin C every day. If I feel like I’m starting to get sick I will increase my dosage. However, one word of caution: if you take too much vitamin C in one day it can upset your stomach and or cause diarrhea. Read this article in the Nutrition Journal for more information and another point of view on this essential vitamin.

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