Introduction: Ms. Zhao, 36 years old this year, has always paid great attention to her skin care. Recently, she heard from her best friend that taking vitamin C has the effect of beautifying and lightening spots, and her heart couldn't help but move. Ms. Zhao has studied beauty care and knows the benefits of vitamin C for her skin, so she decided to give it a try.
In order to meet her needs, Ms. Zhao specially purchased several bottles of natural vitamin C chewable tablets from the Internet. She started taking one tablet a day as recommended on the instructions.
After a while, Ms. Zhao seemed to feel that her complexion had improved and her skin had become smoother and more delicate. So, she was overjoyed, thinking that increasing the dosage would bring better results.
As a result, Ms. Zhao increased the dosage of vitamin C by herself, gradually increasing from 1 tablet a day to 8 or 9 tablets a day. She was looking forward to her skin becoming more supple and radiant, however, she didn't realize that excessive vitamin C intake could have a negative impact on her body.
Half a year later, Ms. Zhao began to experience mild abdominal pain. She first went to the hospital for an abdominal ultrasound examination, and then took blood for laboratory tests, but the cause could not be found. The discomfort of abdominal pain bothered Ms. Zhao, who didn't know what was wrong with her body.
On the advice of her doctor, Ms. Zhao stopped taking vitamin C. Over time, her abdominal pain and discomfort gradually lessened. At this time, Ms. Zhao suddenly realized that her excessive intake of vitamin C was the main culprit of abdominal pain. She deeply regretted it and resolved to be cautious when taking any health supplement in the future, following the doctor's advice and instructions for dosage.
The body has 4 signals that tell you what vitamin C is lacking, and do you meet them?
1. If your skin becomes dry and rough, it may be a sign of vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C helps the skin to stay moisturized and elastic, and a lack of it can lead to skin problems.
2. Frequent fatigue and weakness are also a sign of vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C is involved in energy metabolism, and a lack of it affects the body's energy supply.
3. Bleeding gums or slow wound healing may also be a sign of vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C is important for maintaining oral health and promoting wound healing.
4. Vitamin C deficiency may also lead to weakened immunity, making you more susceptible to infections. Vitamin C is essential for the proper functioning of the immune system, and a lack of it can affect the body's resistance.
What happens to people who take one tablet of vitamin C a day?
Improve the body's immunity
It is a widely accepted view that eating one tablet of vitamin C a day can improve the body's immunity. Vitamin C is one of the essential nutrients for the human body, and it plays an important role in the immune system.
The immune system is our body's line of defense, and it protects us from viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens. Vitamin C can help boost the function of the immune system, which can lead to a healthier body.
Vitamin C helps promote the activity of white blood cells, which are immune cells in our body that recognize and attack viruses and bacteria. When our body is infected, vitamin C helps white blood cells function better, speeding up the recovery process.
Reduces cancer risk
In our daily lives, our bodies are constantly exposed to external environmental aggressions, such as ultraviolet rays, pollutants, etc., which can lead to cell damage, which in turn increases the risk of cancer. Vitamin C scavenges free radicals in the body and reduces oxidative stress, thereby protecting cells from damage. This antioxidant effect helps to maintain the stability and health of the cells, reducing the likelihood of cancer.
Secondly, vitamin C also has anti-inflammatory effects. Chronic inflammation is one of the triggers for many diseases, including cancer. When the body is in a state of inflammation for a long time, cells are susceptible to damage, which in turn mutates, which may eventually lead to the development of cancer. Vitamin C can inhibit inflammation and reduce the risk of cell damage, thereby playing a role in preventing cancer.
In addition to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, vitamin C promotes the normal function of the immune system. The immune system is the "guard" of our body, able to recognize and remove abnormal cells in the body, including cancer cells. Vitamin C can increase the activity of immune cells and enhance the function of the immune system, thereby helping to prevent the occurrence of cancer.
Assists in iron absorption
Vitamin C is a miracle nutrient known as the "guardian of immunity". It plays a vital role in our body, most notably for promoting the absorption and utilization of iron. Consuming the right amount of vitamin C every day can help us better absorb iron, thereby preventing the occurrence of iron deficiency anemia.
Iron is an important component of hemoglobin, a key substance responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to cells throughout the body.
If iron intake is insufficient or malabsorption, it can lead to blocked hemoglobin synthesis, which can lead to anemia. Vitamin C acts as a reducing agent and is able to reduce iron ions to ferrous ions, making it easier for the intestines to absorb. Therefore, vitamin C intake is essential for maintaining iron balance.
Promotes collagen synthesis
Vitamin C is a powerful assistant to promote collagen synthesis, the human body is a wonderful world composed of countless cells, the link between cells is the interstitium, and the main component of the interstitium is the vital collagen.
Collagen, which occupies 1/3 of our body's protein, is like a building steel bar, building a strong scaffold for our body, participating in the formation of connective tissue, keeping our skin firm and elastic, and strengthening bones and teeth.
However, collagen synthesis is not an easy task. It requires the conversion of lysine and proline from food to hydroxylysine and hydroxyproline, a process that is like a chemical reaction that requires specific catalysts. Vitamin C is an indispensable active catalyst for this hydroxylation process. Its presence makes collagen synthesis smoother, thus making our body healthier and our skin more youthful and energetic.
Protects the heart
Vitamin C is known as a powerful antioxidant, and its unique chemical properties allow it to fight free radicals that harm our health. Free radicals are unstable molecules that accumulate and react in the body that can cause cell damage, which can lead to a range of chronic diseases, including heart disease.
The interaction between vitamin C and free radicals is magical. When free radicals run rampant in the body and threaten our health, vitamin C is able to quickly bind to them, neutralizing their activity and preventing them from causing further damage to cells and tissues. This mechanism of action makes vitamin C an indispensable heart guardian.
In addition to fighting free radicals, vitamin C also reduces oxidative stress and further protects the heart from damage. Oxidative stress is a state in which there is an imbalance between oxidation and antioxidant action in the body, which often leads to cell damage and disease. Through its antioxidant effect, vitamin C can maintain the balance of oxidation and antioxidation in the body, reducing the impact of oxidative stress on the heart.
How much vitamin C do I need per day?
It actually depends on a number of factors, including age, gender, physical condition, and lifestyle, among others. However, according to general recommendations, most adults need about 75 to 90 mg of vitamin C per day. For pregnant and lactating women, the demand will be slightly higher.
However, it is important to note that vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, and if you consume too much, your body will excrete it, so there are generally no side effects caused by consuming too much vitamin C.
However, if the intake is insufficient for a long time, it may lead to diseases such as scurvy. Therefore, maintaining a balanced diet and ensuring adequate daily intake of vitamin C is essential for our health.
Reminder: Take it safely, remember 4 points
Consult your doctor first
To take vitamin C safely, you need to consult your doctor first, and after seeking your doctor's advice, if you get advice that you can start supplementing with vitamin C, then the next step is to learn how to take it safely.
Vitamin C is an important nutrient that plays an important role in maintaining a healthy immune system, promoting wound healing, and helping the body absorb iron. However, just like any other medication or nutrient, excessive intake of vitamin C can also have adverse effects on the body.
If your eating habits or physical condition changes, you may need to adjust your vitamin C intake. In addition, you should take care to avoid excessive intake of vitamin C with other medications or nutrients.
Follow recommended dosage
When discussing the safe use of vitamin C, we must be clear about one core principle: the right amount is the best, and just like any medication or nutritional supplement, vitamin C needs to be taken in a scientifically sensible dose.
To ensure that vitamin C is safe to take, the first thing to be clear about is the recommended dosage, which is not set in stone, but is adjusted according to the individual's age, gender, and health status.
For example, for the average adult, the recommended daily intake of vitamin C is 75-90 mg. This recommended dosage is scientifically researched and proven to meet the body's basic need for vitamin C while avoiding the possible side effects of excessive intake.
Fractional Dosage
The idea that vitamin C should be taken safely in divided doses is based on the properties of vitamin C and the limitations of the body's absorption of it. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, and it has a wide range of roles in the body, including participating in collagen synthesis, promoting iron absorption, and boosting immunity.
However, the body's absorption of vitamin C has certain limits, and a large amount of intake at one time cannot make the body fully utilized, but may increase the burden on the kidneys.
Taking vitamin C in divided doses can better mimic the body's natural absorption process, so that the body can get the right amount of vitamin C at different times. This not only improves the efficiency of vitamin C utilization, but also reduces the risk of side effects.
Observe how your body reacts
Although vitamin C is a common and important nutrient, excessive intake or improper use may have some adverse effects. Therefore, when taking vitamin C, we need to be vigilant and pay attention to the following.
Everyone's physique and health are different, and their tolerance to vitamin C will also be different. If you experience uncomfortable symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, rash, etc., after taking vitamin C, you should stop taking it immediately and consult your doctor.
In addition, we also need to pay attention to the interaction of vitamin C with other drugs. Some medications may increase the need for vitamin C, while others may have adverse reactions with vitamin C. Therefore, while taking vitamin C, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist about the interaction between vitamin C and other medications.
Which fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamin C?
Among the many fruits and vegetables, citrus fruits are an excellent source of vitamin C. For example, oranges, lemons, and grapefruits, among others, are all very rich in vitamin C.
Oranges contain about 53 mg of vitamin C per 100 grams, while lemons and grapefruit also contain considerable amounts. In addition, fruits and vegetables such as strawberries, kiwifruit, and red peppers are also rich sources of vitamin C.
In addition to the fruits and vegetables mentioned above, there are many other fruits and vegetables that are also rich in vitamin C. For example, green vegetables like broccoli, spinach, cauliflower, etc., which are all good sources of vitamin C.
At the same time, some tropical fruits such as papaya, pineapple and mango are also rich in vitamin C. In addition, potatoes, cabbage, celery, etc. are also common vegetables rich in vitamin C in our daily diet.
Extension: 2 yuan of vitamin C and 98 yuan, is the interval IQ tax?
To answer this question, we need to first make it clear that the price of a drug is not determined solely by its ingredients. While 2 yuan of vitamin C and 98 yuan of vitamin C may be the same in terms of composition, the price difference between them can be due to a number of factors.
1. The difference in brand and quality may affect the price
Well-known brands usually have a higher credibility and quality assurance, so the price will increase accordingly. In addition, different qualities of vitamin C may vary in purity, stability, solubility, etc., which will also have an impact on the price.
2. Factors such as the production cost, scarcity and market supply and demand relationship of drugs will also have an impact on prices
If a vitamin C is more expensive to produce, or if the market demand is high and the supply is relatively scarce, then the price may rise.
In addition, we also need to take into account the factor of "IQ tax". In some cases, consumers may be overpaying prices due to lack of adequate knowledge and information. However, this does not mean that all price differences are due to the "IQ tax". In some cases, a higher price may represent better quality, better service, or a more efficient marketing strategy.
Therefore, we can't simply attribute the price difference between $2 vitamin C and $98 vitamin C to an "IQ tax."
On the contrary, we should analyze and understand this problem from multiple perspectives, including brand, quality, production cost, market supply and demand and other aspects. At the same time, we also need to improve our knowledge and information level in order to make better consumption decisions.