How To

How to Gain From Vitamin C

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By eHow Contributing Writer
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Although human bodies require a steady combination of necessary vitamins for sustainable health, certain vitamins are depleted quicker than others and need to be replenished more frequently. While most synthetic vitamins should only be taken in recommended dosages, some can be taken in larger quantities to provide extra protection against illness. Gain from vitamin C by taking more than the daily recommended amount and promote your own health.

From Quick Guide: Vitamin C Essentials
Difficulty: Easy
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    Visit your doctor for a checkup or physical before embarking on any dietary change. Determine with your doctor whether or not you're healthy and should take vitamin supplements or even eat more foods containing vitamin C.

  2. Step 2

    Ask your doctor to recommend favorite brands of synthetic vitamin C and to help you decide whether or not you should take a supplement also containing other vitamins and minerals. Find out what the recommended safe dosages are for other vitamins before taking a combined supplement. Know that calcium and magnesium, for instance, increase vitamin C activity in the body.

  3. Step 3

    Inquire about the best types of foods you can eat containing vitamin C. Gain from vitamin C by eating an abundance of fruits and vegetables if you don't want to rely on supplements. Strategize with your doctor your best diet combining nutritious foods and supplements.

  4. Step 4

    Benefit from vitamin C in numerous ways. Increase collagen and reinforce connective tissue in your body. Protect your body from viral and bacterial infections by strengthening the immune system. Gain from vitamin C as you promote healthy gums, reduce cholesterol, fight against chemical damage to blood vessels and stave off the effects of aging. Boost adrenal gland function and regulate sex hormones.

  5. Step 5

    Discover interesting foods, such as acereola cherries and rose hips (rosebud berries), which offer the richest sources of vitamin C. Consume various types of citrus fruits every day to maintain healthy vitamin C levels like oranges, apples, cranberries, grapes and bananas. Know that higher amounts of vitamin C are in fresh, refrigerated and frozen juices compared to canned juices.

  6. Step 6

    Eat plenty of vegetables, such as green peppers, potatoes, broccoli and parsley to gain from vitamin C. Realize that cooking causes food to lose 50% to 55% of its vitamin C and cooking with iron or copper utensils increases vitamin loss.

  7. Step 7

    Take in even greater quantities of vitamin C if you smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol or use medical marijuana or illicit drugs, such as cocaine. Keep in mind that aspirin causes elimination of vitamin C and oral contraceptives cause vitamin C deficiency.

  8. Step 8

    Fight colds and other airborne diseases; increase energy levels and stamina; even shield against cancer, hardening of the arteries and heart disease with vitamin C.

Tips & Warnings
  • Keep in mind that vitamins work together to protect and maintain the body's health.
  • Check with your doctor about the possible side effects of vitamin C, especially if you're diabetic or are on a prescribed low sodium diet. Avoid vitamin C if you have an irregular heartbeat or have had stomach ulcers, are on medication for alcoholism or are being treated for infertility.
  • Visit your doctor or a hospital immediately if you suspect you or a loved one has viral meningitis or Reye's syndrome as vitamin C can trick the body's defenses and allow a suppressed virus to linger. Look for symptoms, such as extreme headache, vomiting and fever.

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