A, B, Vitamin C

       A, B, C.... well, you know the rest. A simple, single, tiny letter with so much power over the human inner workings. We turn to it in most cases simply to rid our bodies of a cold or flu. But have you ever thought about the effects of taking vitamin C daily, for the rest of your life? It is more than a simple letter, and more than a water soluble molecule. It's a warrior! 
      
      Okay, for starters let's call our warrior Ascorbic Acid. Where can you find them in nature? They are abundant in fruits and vegetables. As mentioned before C is a water soluble vitamin, meaning that your body will absorb what it needs and the rest you flush out by natural means. Vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant that plays a role in forming and maintaining connective tissues in the body such as; bones, blood vessels, and even your skin. So not only does it play a role in the formation and maintenance of those things in the body, it also aides in the repair and regeneration of tissues while also aiding the absorption of iron while also, aiding in the decrease of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Whoa! Talk about literally being busier than a bee! And they are born to work until the day they die! Alright, nonsense aside, I want to talk about some of the other benefits outside lessening the common cold and cool molecular bonding. 

• Adding supplemental Vitamin C daily aides in possible prevention of cataracts and of course strengthen the immune system.
• Studies have shown supplemental Vitamin C supports healthy blood sugar levels in diabetics. Using antioxidant-based therapy combined with glucose control gives patients a better advantage and also lessens the chances of complications that could potentially come with diabetes.
• C is also being researched further for the role it plays in combating plaque build-up in artery walls. This also allows for the cardiovascular system to function more efficiently and effectively. 
• In cancer patients, Vitamin C supplements played a role in the reduction of cellular damage to DNA damage. Inflammatory changes that allow malignant tumors to grow was shown to be reduced as well. 
• A 2007 study conducted by nutritionists at the University of Arizona, showed a correlation between the BMI of participants and low levels of Vitamin C. Women in the study who had high levels of Vitamin C also showed a higher level of a fat-suppressing hormone called Adiponectin. 

     Vitamin C also may play a bigger role in lifestyle than you realize. If you're an active gym goer or maybe a Weekend Warrior, then you may want to add Vitmain C into your  daily supplement regimen. 

• British researchers found that taking 200mg, twice daily, for as little as two weeks decreased the muscle soreness, also lowered blood levels of oxidative stress done during extrenuous activity, but also allowed for better muscle functioning. 
• The duration of recovery time was also shortened when participants consistently took the dosage given during the trials.

      So I saved the best for last, smokers and those exposed to second hand smoke often. Vitamin C has been shown to have some huge benefits! It has been studied and researched for many years now on the effects it has on the lungs, immune system, and cardiovascular system in relation to smoking. Smoking has been long related to elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP). CRP is an inflammatory marker that has been linked to elevated risks of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). 

• ​Vitamin C has been shown to combat CRP. 
• One study conducted of 160 healthy adults, actively or passively, exposed to cigarette smoke were administered 515mg per day of Vitamin C, an antioxidant blend of C, E and lipoic acid, or a placebo. Participants given Vitamin C showed significant reduction in the CRP concentration in their plasma of 24%, the other test groups showed no changes.