For the normal functioning of the body, a person needs vitamins, minerals and other useful components. Vitamins A, B, C, D affect all human systems and organs. Their deficiency causes the development of diseases, however, as well as an overabundance. Each vitamin has its own daily requirement. The source of vitamins can be drugs that are sold in pharmacies, but it is still better to get them from nature, that is, from food.
Vitamin C
One of the most necessary and important vitamins for human he alth is vitamin C, which is also known as ascorbic acid, "ascorbic acid". A drug with the same name can be found in any pharmacy, but you can replenish its stocks with fruits, vegetables and other foods.
Vitamin C is an organic substance, an important component of a he althy human diet. It has the ability to influence almost everything in life.important bodily functions. During the first two months of life, the human body synthesizes vitamin C on its own. Ascorbic acid strengthens the immune system, fights viruses and bacteria, helps prevent various kinds of diseases, prolongs the youth of the body, and this is not the whole list of its actions.
The effect of vitamin C on the body
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has a wide spectrum of action on the body. It enhances immunity, takes part in the formation of antibodies and in the normalization of the metabolism of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, in increasing the supply of glycogen in the liver. Ascorbic acid increases blood flow and heart rate, lowers blood pressure, dilates capillaries and arterioles.
Vitamin C is involved in a wide range of biological processes. So, it affects the synthesis of collagen - a protein that forms a connective tissue that cements the intercellular space. The main functions of collagen include protection of blood vessels, organs, muscles, joints, bones, formation of skin, bones, ligaments, teeth. It acts as a protective barrier against infections, diseases, promotes the healing of bruises, fractures, wounds.
Vitamin C is very important for the immune system, as it supports the work of white blood cells and the production of antibodies. It also promotes the formation of interferon (a substance with anti-cancer and antiviral effects). Vitamin C, due to its antioxidant properties, protects against the negative effects of oxidizing agents, promotesprevent symptoms of aging, heart disease and cancer. In addition, ascorbic acid has a positive effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular, nervous, endocrine and other systems.
Vitamin C and hair
Lack of ascorbic acid in the body affects not only the condition, but also the appearance of a person. Vitamin C has been found to be very beneficial for hair. Since it is responsible for the blood circulation of the scalp, it ensures proper nutrition of the hair follicles. Vitamin C is recommended for those who suffer from dandruff, split ends, dry hair, thinness and brittleness.
If you find a problem with hair, do not rush to immediately run to the pharmacy or cosmetic store for a supermask or balm, but include more fresh vegetables, citrus fruits, berries in your daily diet, which have a sufficient content of vitamin C. They will bring much more good for the body and for hair than chemicals.
Vitamin C for kids
The taste of sweet "ascorbic" has been familiar to us since childhood. After all, it is children who need vitamins the most. Their body is formed, grows, develops, so you need to provide your child with everything necessary for him to grow up he althy. Proper nutrition in childhood is the key to the he alth of the body in the future. Every parent should make sure that their baby prefers vegetables and fruits over chips, crackers and buns.
One of the most importantcomponents of the children's diet should be C-vitamin. It helps to increase the protective functions of the body and improves immunity, which is so necessary for children. A lack of this vitamin in the body can lead to bleeding gums, general weakness of the body and poor wound healing.
Daily Value of Vitamin C
The daily requirement of the human body for vitamin C is not the same for everyone and depends on several factors: the presence of bad habits, breastfeeding or pregnancy, work performed, gender, age. Experts give average figures for an average he althy person: 500-1500 mg per day is the therapeutic norm and 60-100 mg daily is the physiological need of the body.
The need for vitamin C is increased by toxic effects, fever, stress, illness, hot climate, old age. Contraceptives increase the daily requirement of vitamin C. The norm depends on age - the older the person, the greater it is. For example, an infant's requirement is 30 mg and an elderly person's requirement is 60 mg. The daily rate increases during pregnancy (70 mg) and lactation (95 mg).
Signs of vitamin C deficiency in the body
Statistics show that it is children of preschool and school age who suffer from a lack of vitamins that are necessary for their normal growth and development. Lack of vitamin C was found in 90% of children (the study was conducted by the Institute of Nutrition of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences). In the body of those children who were in the hospital, deficiency of ascorbicacid was found in 60-70%.
Vitamin C deficiency increases in the winter-spring period, which entails a decrease in immunity and an increase in the possibility of developing gastrointestinal or respiratory diseases. Deficiency can be exogenous or endogenous. In the first case, there is little vitamin in food, in the second case, the vitamin is poorly absorbed. Prolonged vitamin deficiency can lead to the development of hypovitaminosis. Symptoms of vitamin C deficiency in the body include depression, joint pain, irritability, dry skin, hair loss, lethargy, tooth loss and bleeding gums, and poor wound healing.
Vitamin C content in foods
For the normal functioning of the body, a person needs to eat properly, balanced. The daily diet of a person should include vitamin C. What foods contain it and how much should I eat to replenish the norm? First, plant foods contain a significant amount of vitamin C. These are berries (strawberries, sea buckthorn, mountain ash, wild rose), fruits (citrus fruits, persimmons, peaches, apples, apricots), vegetables (Brussels sprouts, bell peppers, broccoli, jacket potatoes). Animal products contain small amounts of vitamin C. These are mainly kidneys, adrenal glands, liver of animals.
There are a number of herbs that contain vitamin C in sufficient doses. Foods should be eaten every day and preferably in raw form. After all, biochemical processing, storage and thermalprocessing contribute to the destruction of a large part of the vitamin. Everyone who cares about their he alth needs to know what vitamin C benefits, what foods contain it and how to prevent its deficiency.
Ascorbic acid. Drug
Vitamin C is found in many medicines. These are tablets "Vitamin C", "Citravit", "Celascon", "Vitamin C" in ampoules. One of the most common is "Ascorbic acid" in tablets. In addition to being useful, it is also very tasty, so children are happy to take pills. The drug promotes the formation of intracellular collagen, strengthening the structure of the walls of capillaries, bones and teeth. The drug "Ascorbic acid" is vitamin C itself. Products cannot always fully provide the body with them.
Means takes part in the processes of cellular respiration, iron metabolism, protein and lipid synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, redox reactions. The use of "Ascorbic acid" reduces the body's need for pantothenic acid, folic acid, vitamins A, E, B. The content of vitamin C in the preparation is close to 100%.
Indications
People who suffer from a lack of vitamin C in the body for a long time may be prescribed certain drugs. As a rule, tablets are available with a content of 250 mg of ascorbic acid or 1000 mg (shown only for the treatment of hypovitaminosis).
Tablets 250 mg are indicated for increased mental and physical stress, with asthenic conditions, during pregnancy (especially multiple pregnancy, against the background of drug or nicotine addiction), after the transfer of diseases, to strengthen immunity, with colds. A large number of people take vitamin C to prevent or treat beriberi or hypovitaminosis.
Side effects
Vitamin C is necessary for the normal functioning of the body, but some patients may experience side effects when taking it, due to individual characteristics of the body, joint use with other drugs, the presence of certain diseases.
Vitamin C, reviews of which are mostly positive, can cause negative reactions if abused. Long-term use of the drug in large doses can cause insomnia, increased excitability of the central nervous system, headache. The digestive system may react with vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, ulceration of the gastrointestinal mucosa, hyperacid gastritis, irritation of the gastrointestinal mucosa.
The patient may develop glycosuria, hyperglycemia, moderate pollakiuria, nephrolithiasis, decreased capillary permeability, skin flushing, skin rash, leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, impaired copper and zinc metabolism.
Overdose
The human body can suffer not only from a deficiency of vitamin C, but also from its excess. This condition is called hypervitaminosis, it occurs whenthe patient's great desire to improve his he alth due to the immoderate consumption of this vitamin. Often there are situations when a person, unaware of the danger, combines foods containing a sufficient amount of vitamin with the drug "Ascorbic acid".
The maximum daily allowance for an adult should not exceed 90 mg. In order to circumvent the consequences, you need to familiarize yourself with the symptoms of hypervitaminosis. The first thing that occurs is constant dizziness and nausea, vomiting, cramps in the abdomen. Further, problems with the heart, kidneys, and gallbladder may gradually appear. The use of large amounts of vitamin C is accompanied by heartburn, digestive disorders, fatigue, allergic reactions.
Everything is good in moderation. Vitamin C, the price of which starts from 100 rubles, is good for the body only if it is taken correctly. Before starting the reception, it is recommended to visit the clinic, undergo an examination, where the doctor will prescribe the correct drug and dosage for each specific case.
