C THE GLOW: THE POWER OF VITAMIN C
When you hear about Vitamin C, what are the first thoughts that come to mind? Most people would think of the common cold or oranges. Although both things are correct, the purpose of this week’s blog is to provide more information on Vitamin C beyond immune support.
What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C is an essential vitamin found in citrus fruits, berries and vegetables such as oranges, kiwi, green peppers, broccoli, and kale. Vitamin C deficiency is rare in the United States. People who are deficient in Vitamin C may develop a condition called scurvy. Scurvy may occur when an individual consumes less than 10mg of Vitamin C daily for several weeks. Scurvy causes fatigue, weakness, bleeding gums, joint pain, skin discoloration, and/or easy skin bruising. The treatment of scurvy is taking Vitamin C supplements and eating foods high in Vitamin C.
Aside from immune support, Vitamin C is also vital in the body’s healing process and the formation of blood vessels, cartilage, muscles and collagen. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, so it also protects body cells from free radicals that may lead to complications such as heart disease, cancer, or death.
At our office, we give Vitamin C to patients for several reasons. Obviously, we recommend patients take it for immune support, especially during the winter months when viruses are more common. We also give Vitamin C to patients on our chiropractic and spinal decompression programs because of its vital role in the healing process and its beneficial properties in the formation of soft tissue structures.
If you have any questions about Vitamin C, please call us at (724) 547-3377 and check out our website at www.laurelmountainchiro.com for more content.
Yours In Health,
Brian M. Steinert, DC
Larry E. Wilkins, DC