February 19, 2010
By Carol Ives
Most people know that Vitamin C is great for colds, but did you also know that it plays a tremendous role in heart health? With our focus this month on healthy hearts I thought it would be fun to share a few facts regarding this incredible supplement.
- Vitamin C helps prevent arterial inflammation and plaque.
- It helps enhance the body’s level of natural glutathione (glutathione is a potent free-radical scavenger known to prevent coronary artery disease.)
- Vitamin C is crucial for the synthesis of collagen, a part of the connective tissue that strengthens your blood vessel walls. When these walls become irritated they are more likely to allow plaque build-up, permitting noxious toxins to cause inflammatory reactions in the vascular lining.
- Helps repair connective tissue and cartilage thereby contributing to healthy blood vessels.
- At higher doses Vitamin C can help patients coping with arterial fibrillation (AF), the most common kind of arrhythmia.
So, how much Vitamin C is safe to take on a daily basis?
- Most research supports Vitamin C intake of around 200 to 300 mg per day, which for the average person is definitely in the safe zone. In fact, for many people doses below 1,000 mg are probably safe although the research is not as conclusive for this intake level.
- Some researchers, such as the great Linus Pauling, suggest 10,000 mg or more daily for optimum health. For instructions on determining your own need see our blog on the Vitamin C Flush.
Excellent food sources of vitamin C include: parsley, broccoli, bell pepper, strawberries, oranges, lemon juice, papaya, cauliflower, kale, mustard greens, and Brussels sprouts. Marilyn Farms also offers Vitamin C in a variety of formulas including chewable, powder, and Vitamin C 1000. tablets. Visit our website to learn more and take advantage of our February special on this heart-healthy supplement.
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