4 minAt VitaminFit, we are receiving more and more questions about vitamin C and our vitamin C drops. This is the perfect time to answer all your questions in one blog! Vitamin C is essential for your health, and we want to tell you everything about how it works, why it is so important, and how you can best use it.
We also have a general blog about vitamin C, but in this article we will delve deeper into your most frequently asked questions. So read on and discover everything about this powerful vitamin!
#1. What is vitamin C good for?
Vitamin C is known for its contribution to the immune system. It helps protect the body's cells from external influences, thereby maintaining healthy cells and tissues. Several studies have shown that vitamin C can contribute to the immune system, resistance and the proper functioning of the nervous system and connective tissue, among other things.
Vitamin C also plays a role in almost 200 other bodily processes! Did you know, for example, that vitamin C is extremely good for your hair and nails?
#2. Does vitamin C help against flu?
This is a logical question, given that vitamin C plays an important role in the functioning of the immune system. When your immune system is weakened, you are more likely to catch the flu. By taking sufficient vitamin C every day, you can keep your immune system strong, which helps to prevent the flu. In addition to vitamin C, there are a number of other important vitamins for your resistance.
#3. When do you have a vitamin C deficiency?
The body cannot produce vitamin C itself, which means that a vitamin C deficiency can occur if you do not get enough vitamin C from your diet. Are you unable to eat 2 pieces of fruit and 2 ounces of vegetables every day? Then you may already have a vitamin C deficiency!
You will notice a deficiency in your immune system, but also in weight loss, fatigue and joint problems. In that case, it is advisable to take a dietary supplement containing vitamin C. Smokers, people under a lot of stress and the elderly are more likely to have a vitamin C deficiency.
An extreme vitamin C deficiency puts you at risk of developing scurvy. The symptoms of vitamin C deficiency in scurvy go much further: you will also suffer from insomnia, bleeding gums and internal bleeding. However, scurvy as a result of vitamin C deficiency is now virtually unheard of.
#4. How much vitamin C do I need every day to prevent a deficiency?
This depends on your age and lifestyle. For adults, the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) is 75 mg of vitamin C. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you need slightly more: 85 mg during pregnancy and 100 mg when breastfeeding.
Children also need vitamin C: for babies from 6 months onwards, the RDA is 20 mg, toddlers can have 25-30 mg daily, children aged 4 to 8 years 30-40 mg per day and teenagers around 50 mg of vitamin C per day.
#5. Which foods contain vitamin C?
Vitamin C is mainly found in fruit and vegetables, potatoes and grain products such as bread. Because supplements cannot replace a healthy diet, it is important to eat enough foods that are rich in vitamin C. Supplements are a supplement to this.
Curious about which foods specifically contain vitamin C?
#6. When is the best time of day to take vitamin C?
It is best to take a vitamin C supplement with a meal. Do you sometimes skip breakfast or lunch? Then make your evening meal a fixed time to take it. How should you take vitamin C? Drops are the easiest to dose and take: take them straight from a spoon, or stir the drops into your dessert or a glass of water.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant and neutralises free radicals in the body. Food can also contain free radicals. Vitamin C ensures that they cannot cause damage to the body. In addition, vitamin C ensures better absorption of iron from food.
#7. Can I take too much vitamin C?
With a healthy and varied diet, you will get enough vitamin C and are unlikely to get too much. Our body excretes excess vitamin C through urine. An excess of vitamin C can cause intestinal problems or diarrhoea. There are no known serious symptoms of vitamin C excess.
#8. What is the difference between natural and synthetic vitamin C?
Natural vitamin C always contains bioflavonoids, which is not necessarily the case with synthetic vitamin C. Flavonoids are natural substances found in plants that have various health benefits. Natural vitamins are created by nature and are therefore more easily absorbed by the body.
In addition, synthetic vitamin C often contains additives and excipients, whereas natural vitamin C, especially in drop form, does not. Thirdly, synthetic vitamin C often contains a much higher dose of vitamin C than the natural variants.
At VitaminFit, we believe in the power of nature. All our supplements are therefore 100% natural.
#9. Can I also use vitamin C together with other supplements?
Vitamin C is perfect for use in combination with other supplements. There are vitamins and minerals that interact with each other, increasing or decreasing absorption. Vitamin C interacts with vitamin B11, (non-haem) iron, copper and selenium.
Specifically, vitamin C promotes the absorption of vitamin B11, improves the absorption of iron and has a positive effect on the absorption of selenium. In combination with copper, an intake of more than 1.5 grams of vitamin C leads to a reduction in copper absorption.
#10. Is there also vitamin C for children?
A vitamin C supplement can be a good addition for children, for example if your child does not like vegetables and/or eating. This will at least prevent a vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C drops are very suitable for children because they are easy to dose and easy to take. In addition, vitamin C is of course also good for your child(ren)'s immune system.
