- Without vitamin C, the body cannot form collagen, which is an essential ingredient in the formation of the skin, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels. The body needs a good supply of all of those to function properly. Lack of sufficient collagen can result in everything from the skin becoming more wrinkled to the bones and joints developing osteoarthritis.
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An antioxidant is a substance that protects the body from maintaining cell damage due to oxidation. Oxidation occurs when toxins, or free radicals, accumulate in the body. Some free radicals occur naturally in the body, but environmental factors (sun exposure, chemicals, pesticides, etc.) contribute many more than the body normally deals with. Those free radicals "steal" atoms from normal, healthy body cells in order to balance themselves on a molecular level. The normal body cells are left deficient, sometimes unable to function or sometimes bonding with other cells to restabilize. Free radical oxidation can be a factor in everything from skin wrinkling to cancer developing.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant; it helps block the free radicals from damaging healthy cells. - If you notice your gums bleeding every time you brush your teeth, increase your daily dose of vitamin C. Sufficient vitamin C is essential for preventing gingivitis and bleeding of the gums. Vitamin C works in the body to repair and maintain connective tissue, which is what your gums are.
- More recent studies (see link below for the full article) have shown that vitamin C responds to toxic products that the body creates when it oxidizes fat. These toxic products, known as oxidized lipids, play a significant role in diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Vitamin C works to counteract their effects by producing conjugates, which help protect the body from the effects of the toxic lipids.
