Vitamin C is something that a lot of people think they can't get enough of. It's often seen as the cure-all to all illnesses. And while Vitamin C is important for helping your immune system function properly, overdoing it can actually be harmful.
First off, what exactly are vitamins and why are they important? Vitamins are natural substances that are found in food. They're important because they help your body function properly. Vitamin C, for example, helps your body make collagen. Collagen is a protein that's important for healthy skin and bones. Vitamin C also helps your body absorb iron.
Vitamin C is found in many foods, including oranges, strawberries, kiwi fruit, broccoli, and tomatoes. It's also available as a supplement. Vitamin C is important for many other body functions, including:
- Wound healing: it help heal cuts and scrapes more quickly by helping create collagen
- Collagen production: It helps create collagen by working with enzymes which helps with healthy skin and bones, as well as wound healing.
- Iron absorption: which helps with anemia (anemia is when you don't have enough healthy red blood cells, which can lead to fatigue and weakness)
- Immune system function: It helps the immune system by making white blood cells, which fight infection which helps with colds and other illnesses
A few good ways to get the right amount of Vitamin C is by eating a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. A few good ingredients to include in your cooking are tomatoes, kale, limes, and sweet potatoes since they are all Vitamin C powerhouses. Including a variety of fruits of vegetables packed with Vitamin C will make it more fun and easy to eat--that way you can enjoy the benefits that come from this vitamin!
However, even though Vitamin C is important for the functions mentioned before, just like anything else, taking too much can actually be harmful.
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, which means that your body doesn't store it. This means that if you take too much Vitamin C, your body will simply flush it out in your urine.
However, taking too much Vitamin C can cause some side effects, including:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach cramps
- Headache
- Fatigue
So, how much Vitamin C is too much? The recommended daily allowance for Vitamin C is 75-90 mg/day for adults. However, you should talk to your doctor if you're considering taking a Vitamin C supplement, as they can advise you on the right dose for you.
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that has many benefits for your body. However, it's important to be aware of the potential side effects of taking too much Vitamin C. If you have any concerns, be sure to speak with your doctor before starting a Vitamin C supplement!