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Taking Vitamin C? This Is the Most Important Thing to Remember
aol.com • • health
Key Points:
- Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is essential not only for immune support but also for collagen production, wound healing, iron absorption, and acting as an antioxidant to protect cells from damage.
- While many people get sufficient vitamin C from foods like orange juice, smokers, those with certain medical conditions, or people with poor dietary intake may need supplements, as the body does not store this water-soluble vitamin.
- Symptoms of vitamin C deficiency range from fatigue and muscle pain to severe scurvy, which includes anemia, bleeding gums, and poor wound healing.
- Vitamin C may help reduce the risk of some cancers and eye diseases, though it is not proven to prevent these conditions outright.
- The best time to take vitamin C supplements is flexible, ideally with meals to aid absorption and reduce stomach discomfort; doses should generally not exceed 2,000 mg per day to avoid side effects.
