Health Tips

Did you know vitamin C has many benefits besides helping fight the common cold. Vitamin C also even promotes heart health. Here are a few of the benefits directly related to heart disease:

• Slows atherosclerosis hardening of the arteries.
• Reduces repeat angioplasties.
• Improves endothelial function.
• Decreases atrial fibrillation post-bypass surgery.
• Improves heart attack recovery.
• Promotes blood pressure control.
• Regulates c-reactive protein levels.

Risk of vitamin C deficiency increases with age. Some additional factors affecting vitamin C deficiency include birth control pills, antibiotics, painkillers, cigarettes, stress, high blood pressure, and fever.

Fruits and vegetables are the best source of vitamin C, such as peppers, kale, parsley, greens, broccoli, watercress, cauliflower, strawberries, oranges, grapefruit, mangos, okra, green peas, radishes, squash, and berries.

Current vitamin C recommendations are between 1000 to 5000 milligrams per day. Since vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin and is quickly eliminated from the body it is best to divide your supplement into two or three doses throughout the day. However, if you are likely to forget it’s better to take the supplement all at once. If you supplement more than 5000 mg per day you increase your risk of experiencing diarrhea. Discuss all supplements with your physician.