User:Vitamin-c-amla
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Vitamin C is one of the best known antioxidant. vitamin C serves as a key immune system nutrient and a potent free-radical fighter. This double-duty nutrient has been shown to prevent many illnesses, from everyday ailments such as the common cold to devastating diseases such as cancer. Human beings are among only a handful of animal species that cannot produce their own supply of vitamin C. Like these other animals, including primates and guinea pigs, we have no choice but to obtain this nutrient in our diet. Vitamin C helps some of our most important body systems. First and foremost, it helps the immune system to fight off foreign invaders and tumor cells. Vitamin C also supports the cardiovascular system by facilitating fat metabolism and protecting tissues from free radical damage, and it assists the nervous system by converting certain amino acids into neurotransmitters.
The skin, teeth and bones also benefit from vitamin C's collagen-forming and invader-resisting properties; this vitamin contributes to the maintenance of healthy bones, the prevention of periodontal disease and the healing of wounds. It even serves as a natural aspirin, of sorts, by combating inflammation and pain.
Nowadays everyone seems to know the value of vitamin C, but no one seems to be taking the real thing.
It is generally thought that the term vitamin C refers to ascorbic acid. But ascorbic acid is only the antioxidant ring that surrounds the vitamin C complex. Vitamin C was discovered by Szent-Gyorgi and first isolated from peppers. In this state it was found to have 7 identified and other unidentified compounds, comprised of Rutin (vitamin P), the bioflavonoid complex, the âKâ factor, the âJâ-factor, Tyrosinase (organic copper), ascorbic acid, ascorbigen, and components not yet identified. Ascorbic Acid only represents the antioxidant ring surrounding these 7 other compounds. Years of research have demonstrated that when any portion of a vitamin is separated from its naturally occurring collective, cooperative complex, including trace-mineral activators, and reduced to an isolated purified state, the vitamin activity has been lost.
Isolated ascorbic acid is made from corn sugar (glucose), and it is a naked substance devoid of all the cofactors. Many studies found that ascorbic acid does not prevent colds from occurring, it only shortens their duration by lowering histamine levels. It is interesting to note that Scurvy, a severe vitamin C deficiency, cannot be reversed with ascorbic acid but can be reversed with paprika or a natural food source vitamin C complex. Szent-Gyorgi, the original discoverer of ascorbic acid, found that it would not cure scurvy; only the natural complex can do that.
It is important that Vitamin C has to consumed by us in it's natural form. Many vegetables and fruits contain natural Vitamin C. Citrus fruits, apple etc. are known to contain good amount of Vitamin C. The best source of natural vitamin C is the Amla fruit from East India. It is also known as Indian goosebery and Emblica Officinalis. It is known to contain as much as 180 times the amount of Vitamin C contained in apple.
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