Vitamin C supplements have been trendy for a while, but doctors are changing their tune on why and how you should take them. The most current findings may change why and how you take vitamin C.
Why do you need vitamin C? For years vitamin C has been touted as the cold prevention and cold remedy solution, but the latest findings tell us vitamin C doesn’t help us fight or recover from colds. It does, however, lower your vulnerability to heart diease and cancer, which are much more significant than a cold, and it also is hoped to slow eyesight degeneration associated with age. What are the best natural sources of vitamin C? If you eat plenty of citrus fruits, and a generous amount of supplemental fruits and vegetables, you’ll get a lot of vitamin C. You can also carefully select beverages and foods that are fortified with vitamin C. Take this into consideration when determining supplemental dosages. How much is enough? Healthy adults should get a minimum of 75 mg and a maximum of 2000 mg a day. Anytime you take over 2000 mg, you will risk unpleasant side effects. Children should be dosed per age; check with your doctor regarding your child’s weight and age to determine the proper dosing. Pregnant women should show extra caution not to exceed recommended amounts, since mega-dosing has been loosely linked with preterm birth and scurvy in newborns. Should you take vitamin C supplements? Doctors are questioning the value of vitamin C supplements when compared to the benefits of eating a diet rich in vitamin C. It appears that the best benefits come from natural sources of vitamin C, but it can be difficult to get enough vitamin C just through diet. It may be best to take a vitamin C supplement with food for optimal effects. Vitamin C supplements are currently still considered a good idea, but you should still try to eat as much vitamin C as possible through your meal plan choices and use supplements to close the gap.