Extraordinary Health Magazine Extraordinary Health Vol 25 | Page 54

VitaminC
Nature’s Antioxidant

By Dawn Thorpe Jarvis, M.S., R.D., L.D.N. Garden of Life® Senior Director of Nutrition Science & Educational Content

Did you know that humans, unlike most animals, can’t make
vitamin C within our bodies because we lack a particular enzyme?
So, it’s essential for us to obtain sufficient vitamin C from our
diets, and since vitamin C is water soluble, the body doesn’t
store it, plus it’s poorly absorbed and constantly excreted. This
all means that we need to consume it continuously.
Vitamin C is found in plants, but mostly in fruits
and vegetables, including citrus fruits such as
oranges, limes, lemons and grapefruit. Other
rich sources include acerola cherries; Amla
berries; camu camu; rosehip; sea buckthorn;
Indian gooseberry; red and green peppers; guava; kiwi fruit;
pineapple; tomatoes; red berries; cantaloupe melon; kale and
other leafy greens; and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli,
cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. Cooking significantly reduces
vitamin C, so raw fruits and vegetables, or their juices, are the
best ways to get vitamin C and its natural cofactors, such as
bioflavonoids, which assist with proper absorption and
utilization of vitamin C in the body.
Vitamin C is in every human cell of the human body, supports
healthy energy production in the cell’s mitochondria (the
powerhouse), and is needed for growth and development.
It is required by eight enzymes needed for the biosynthesis
of collagen, carnitine and neurotransmitters. Collagen is a major
component of connective tissues, and is essential for healthy,
vibrant skin as well as being a major building block for tendons
and ligaments, bones and healthy blood vessels.

†

Vitamin C was discovered centuries ago when sailors developed
scurvy. Their symptoms included extreme fatigue, swollen
bleeding inflamed gums, tooth loss, joint pain, fragile blood
vessels, poor wound healing, depression and, eventually, death.
Today, our focus should be less about preventing scurvy, which is
very rare, and all about maintaining optimum levels of vitamin
C in our blood so it can continually perform its important
antioxidant functions in the body. Low levels of serum
vitamin C may have serious health implications related to major
degenerative diseases and the aging process.
In short, vitamin C is nature’s antioxidant. As an electron
donor, it protects our cells and building blocks for DNA from
free radical damage during normal metabolic processes
and from toxins via environmental pollution. It can also
regenerate other antioxidants, such as vitamin E, within the
body. Positive antioxidant effects of vitamin C have been
demonstrated in many studies. It stimulates white blood
cell and interferon production, supports antibody response
and secretion of appropriate hormones—all important to
healthy immune function. †

The bottom line is that you need enough
vitamin C daily, so take advantage
of this powerful antioxidant from nature.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.