Vitamins are essential compounds that our bodies cannot self-produce – they must come from the food we eat. Most vitamins play a variety of crucial functions in the body and inadequate intake can impact various systems. Vitamin C is no exception.

How does your body benefit from Vitamin C?

It supports collagen production

Vitamin C is integral to the production of new collagen fibres as well as other connective tissue components such as elastin and proteoglycans. Collagen is a major cellular building block, providing structure to our skin, bones, joints and organs. In this way, Vitamin C plays an essential role not only in the appearance of healthy skin, but also in wound healing, skin structure and function, blood vessels, cartilage, tendons, gums, teeth, bones and even the corneas and lens in your eyes.

Without the presence of Vitamin C, new collagen simply cannot be formed, despite the presence of all other necessary factors. That’s why it is so important when taking a collagen supplement to ensure your Vitamin C intake is also sufficient.

It’s an antioxidant

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant. Now, this term is commonly used, but what does it actually mean? Different antioxidants play different roles in the body. Vitamin C is an “electron donor”. It reacts with compounds called free radicals that are formed during the chemical reactions in our everyday metabolic processes.

For example, the mere conversation of food to energy in our cells produces free radicals which can damage our cell membranes, cellular proteins and DNA. In a healthy, balanced system, these free radicals are neutralised by dietary antioxidants, including Vitamin C. Ultimately, Vitamin C ensures harmonious function of our cells during the metabolism of energy from food consumption.

It’s essential for immunity 

Vitamin C is vital in maintaining the health of our immune system. Immune cells accumulate Vitamin C and rapidly consume it when fighting infection. At doses higher than recommended daily intake levels (like you’ll get with our Ultimate Elixirs), Vitamin C can also stimulate immune responses to infection. 

Several studies have explored the potential for Vitamin C to prevent or reduce the duration and severity of symptoms of the common cold and flu, albeit with mixed results.

Vitamin C also has antihistamine properties and is often used to reduce the symptoms of hay fever.

It boosts brain health

It is via antioxidant reactions that Vitamin C also supports the healthy functioning of the nervous system. It contributes to the production of neurotransmitters noradrenaline (involved in arousal and decision-making) and serotonin (which plays a role in mood regulation, sleep, appetite and memory). Vitamin C also helps regulate certain stress and thyroid hormones.

It supports cardiovascular health

Vitamin C contributes substantially to the metabolism of cholesterol, offering a protective effect to the cardiovascular system. Vitamin C has also been shown to lower blood pressure in people with both high and normal blood pressure. High dose supplements have also been shown to reduce uric acid levels that lead to gout.

Increase your Vitamin C intake

The body does not store Vitamin C, so it’s important to ensure adequate daily intake. Fruits and vegetables including blackcurrants, guava, citrus, kiwi fruit, broccoli and sprouts are good sources of Vitamin C, however the content in these foods can vary based on transportation, storage time and cooking processes. 

The National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia recommends adults consume 40 mg of Vitamin C per day. Our Ultimate 1.0 Elixirs contain 1000mg of Vitamin C per serve while our Ultimate 2.0 and 3.0 both contain 100mg of Vitamin C per serve. That’s 1000% and 250% of the RDI, respectively! Our Vitamin C is naturally extracted from sustainably sourced, wild harvested, organic sea buckthorn fruit providing all natural, highly bioavailable Vitamin C.

Ready to enjoy the health benefits of increased Vitamin C? Try our Ultimate Elixirs today. Vitamin C is just one of the many natural, highly-effective ingredients in our health-promoting formula.