Where can we find vitamin C?
Vitamin C, or otherwise called ascorbic acid, is found in an extensive selection of fruits and vegetables. These include citrus fruit, for example, oranges, broccoli, brussels sprouts peppers, strawberries, blackcurrants and potatoes.
What are the functions of Vitamin C?
Vitamin C helps the body in many ways. It supports the immune defence system, helps sustain healthy skin, blood vessels, bones, and cartilage; it is a potent antioxidant preventing free radical damage to cells and is involved in the production of collagen and other connective tissue.
Who is at risk of vitamin C deficiency?
40mg of vitamin C is necessary for adults aged 19 to 64 per day. One should be able to get all the vitamin C from their daily diet. It is vital to have Vitamin C in your diet every day as it cannot be stored. When you have vitamin C deficiency you can develop the disease Scurvy, which is severe Vitamin D deficiency. People who have no fresh fruits or vegetables in their diet are at a greater risk of developing scurvy, they may eat very little food at all – potential reasons include treatments that make you feel nauseous all the time (eg. chemotherapy) or an eating disorder such as anorexia. Smoking is a risk factor as well, as it decreases the amount of vitamin C your body gets from food. People who depend on drugs or alcohol that disturb their diet or people who have a deprived diet while breastfeeding or pregnant, because the body desires more vitamin C at these times. In addition, babies, children and older people may also be more at risk of scurvy as they find it hard to maintain a healthy diet.
