Disadvantages and Advantages of Vitamin C

DEFINITIONS

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is found in acidic fruits, tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage and green chilies.

Vitamin C is required for the formation of connective tissue. Vitamin C helps absorption of iron and helps healing burns or other injuries.

Like vitamin E, vitamin C is also an antioxidant.

LACK OF VITAMIN C

The need for vitamin C increased significantly and the risk of a shortage in the following circumstances:

- Pregnancy

- Breastfeeding

- Tirotiksikosis (hyperactivity of the thyroid gland)

- Various types of inflammatory

- Surgery

- Burns.

In infants aged 6-12 months, lack of vitamin C in the formula or solid foods can lead to scurvy.

Initial symptoms of irritability, pain if the body moves, loss of appetite and do not experience weight gain.

Bones thin / small and prominent joints.

Is typical of hemorrhage under the protective tissue around the bones and teeth.

In adults, scurvy can occur if a diet, which contains only meat and flour or tea, toast and canned vegetables, all of which are typical foods eaten by older people who do not desire to eat.

After several months of consuming these foods, there will be bleeding under the skin, especially around the roots of the hair, under fingernails, around the gums and in the joints.

Patients will appear depressed, tired and weak.

Blood pressure and heart rate to go up and down (fluctuate).

Blood tests showed levels of vitamin C is very low.

In infants and adults, scurvy treated with high doses of vitamin C for 1 week, followed by a lower dose for 1 month.

EXCESS VITAMIN C

High doses of vitamin C (500-10000 mg) has been recommended to prevent the common cold, schizophrenia, cancer, hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis.

But this is not getting adequate scientific support.

Doses exceeding 1000 mg / day led to:

- Diarrhea

- Kidney stones in people who are sensitive

- Changes in the menstrual cycle.

Some people who stop the intake of high doses of vitamin C suddenly be re-experiencing scurvy.