Let’s talk about the importance of vitamin C! Do you know which source is best? Which form? What time? And how much to take?
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Mostly I would say not, when we think of vitamin C we think of the immune system – which is great but it has so many other benefits too!
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Vitamin C helps to repair and regenerate tissues, protect against heart disease, aid in the absorption of iron, prevent scurvy, and decrease total and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and triglycerides. Research indicates that vitamin C may help protect against a variety of cancers by combating free radicals and helping neutralise the effects of nitrites (preservatives found in some packaged foods that may raise the risk of certain forms of cancer). Supplemental vitamin C may also lessen the duration and symptoms of a common cold, help delay or prevent cataracts, and support healthy immune function. It is also a much-needed nutrient for improving sleep quality, pulling the breaks on cortisol production and nourishing the adrenals and nervous system.
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There are so many vitamin C products on the market – Ideally, I recommend a powdered Ascorbic Acid. Which is just pure vitamin C – no additives or excipients (this is the extra stuff put into tablet or capsule formulations to make it easier to combine).
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What time to take your vitamin C supplement? This is dependant on what your body needs. If you are doing high dose vitamin C then make sure you split the doses throughout the day. If you are taking an iron supplement, take your vitamin C at the same time. If you are stressed and struggling to sleep then take your vitamin C at night. Each person is different so it is essential you find out from your Naturopath what is best for you.
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How much vitamin C to take? This is super important. If you are not taking enough then you are not going to get the best results. Make sure you speak to a Naturopath to find out how much your body needs. I usually recommend 2,000-3,000 mg per day split into 2 doses. But this could be more or less depending on what is going on for you. I have read studies which dose above 200+ grams per day 🍊🍋