Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin very important for normal growth and development, as well as an excellent vitamin for fighting colds.

Vitamin C is necessary to form collagen, an important protein that makes skin, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. Vitamin C is essential for wound healing and maintenance cartilage, bones, and teeth.

Vitamin C is an excellent antioxidant, and along with vitamin E and beta-carotene can form a potent free radical destroying cocktail. (Free-radicals are by-products that result when our bodies make food into energy. Free radicals are also responsible for aging as well as many other diseases including cancer, heart disease, arthritis etc.) Antioxidants such as Vitamin C can also help reduce damage to the body by such as cigarette smoke, chemicals and pollutants from our everyday environment.

Because our bodies don't make vitamin C, it is important to have plenty of vitamin C-containing foods in your diet. Unfortunately, due to processing and pesticides etc, vitamin C is often vastly reduced in vegetables and fruits, which is why supplementing with vitamin C can be very beneficial.

Vitamin C can be found in fruits and vegetables. Some of the highest sources include kiwis, papaya, tomatoes, fruit juices, broccoli, mango, watermelon, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, cranberries and pineapples.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article has been written for educational purposes only. Before undertaking any form of diet or exercise regime you should consult your doctor before commencement, particularly if there is an underlying medical condition.