Vitamin C

Remember the House episode where Scurvy was mistaken for Small Pox? The first scene was a disease breakout aboard a ship in the 17th century. That led to the discovery of vitamin c. The extreme deficiancy resulted in what we know today as Scurvy.

Now, on to the really interesting stuff.

Why do we need vitamin c? Humans can't synthesize it like plants do. We lack a certain enzyme called L-gulonolactone oxidase. That is where our veggie tales begin..

Before we move on, remember that oranges are obviously not the only source of "Ascorbic Acid" (another name for vitamin c). So, get creative! For your information, rose hips have the largest concentration of vitamin c with a whooping 800mg of vitamin per 100g of edible portion. This is compared to 50mg in the same amount of oranges.

Vitamin c is water soluble and doesn't stay in the body for a long time and excess is disposed when you pee (a nicer word for urinate). Beware of vitamin c in LARGE concentrations such as 1,000mg. It is not dangerous to your health, but it ravages your wallet. Not to mention the humiliation when you realize that you have been cheated. Consider yourself warned..

According to RDA in the united states, 100-120mg/day is the minimum to maintain "cellular saturation" in an average human. HOWEVER we are all unique don't you agree? Especially for Asians (Singaporeans), things like stress, smoking, alcoholism, fever, viral infections drives the vitamin c levels down increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer. Scary, but don't close your eyes.

Yum! Vit c also aids iron absorption!

Our liver is the headquarters of detoxification and is also where a lot of cholesterol dwells. Vitamin c aids in the catabolism of cholesterol in liver. Believe me, you want it gone. You are not a duck being fattened for foie gras. Deficiency can cause cholesterol to accumulate in liver leading to hypercholesterolemia, formation of cholesterol gall stones. That's foie gras on the left by the way.


Consuming more fruits and vegetables or supplements (always high quality) is also known widely for reducing severity of colds. How? It boosts immunity by enhancing T-cell proliferation. The vit c doesn't fight the cold, but at higher doses, it helps your body to create a bigger army of soldiers (T-cells) to do the fighting for you.

This is more crucial when you are injured. Vitamin c is critical for healing wounds by stimulating collagen synthesis.Ooo.. familiar word: Collagen.

Vitamin C plays an important role in maintaining of collagen. Everybody wants to look their best. First impressions count. But don't forget that personality shines through any makeup or beautiful skin. Collagen is not only for the skin, it represents nearly one third of the body's protein: Skin, bones, teeth, cartilage, tendons, blood vessels, heart valves, inter vertebral discs, cornea, and eye lens. As you can see, it is not just skin deep.

As an anti-oxidant, vitamin c also acts by negating the effects of damaging free radicals in various oxygen and nitrogen species of chemicals so that they do no harm to our body (lipids, DNA, and proteins). Damage to these important molecules in our body implicates chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and cataracts.


Sources of Vitamin C:

BEST Fruit - Rose hips, black currents
BEST Vegetable - Parsley, Peppers, Brussels sprouts

Other Excellent sources (better ones first)

Fruits - Strawberry, lemon, grapefruit, orange, papaya

Vegetables - Coriander, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, spinach.

Eat well and stay healthy!

Love,
Tim