Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)
Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is involved in a great number of bodily functions, some of which have yet to be understood. Double Nobel Prize winner, Dr Linus Pauling, was a firm advocate of large doses of vitamin C, believing this protected the body against serious illnesses, including curing cancer. As he lived to age 90, he must have known a bit about the value of vitamins.
Sources of vitamin C:
** Kiwi fruit.
** Gooseberries
** Limes
** Lemons
** Orange.
** Grapefruit (not if you suffer from kidney stones)
** Parsley
** Cauliflower
** Brussels sprouts
** Broccoli
** Bell peppers
** Potatoes.
You need vitamin C for:
** Strengthens the immune system.
** Helps to prevent and heal bacterial and viral infections, such as cold and flu.
** Speeds up healing of cuts and wounds.
** A powerful anti- infectious agent.
** Plays an important role in the formation of collagen, which is one of the building blocks of the body.
** Helps protect the body against the harmful effects of tobacco and environmental pollution -- although personal smoking destroys it.
** A most powerful antioxidant. Along with selenium and Vitamin E, this vitamin is thought to slow down the ageing process.
** Helps combat certain forms of male sterility;
** May even help prevent and even cure certain cancers. This was claimed by Nobel Prize laureate Linus Pauling, who advocated very large doses of Vitamin C (over 10 grams per day)
Signs of vitamin C deficiency:
** Fatigue.
** Weight loss.
** General feeling of discomfort.
** Headaches.
** Bone pain.
** Impaired immune system leading to lowered resistance to various infections
** Swelling of lower limbs
** In extreme cases: bleeding gums and other symptoms of scurvy.
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