Vitamin C can reduce the severity of cold symptoms, acting as a natural
antihistamine. The vitamin may be useful for allergy control for the same
reason: It may reduce histamine levels. By giving the immune system one of
the important nutrients it needs, extra vitamin C can often shorten the duration
of the cold as well.
As an important factor in collagen production, vitamin C is useful in wound
healing of all types. From cuts and broken bones to burns and recovery from
surgical wounds, vitamin C taken orally helps wounds to heal faster and better.
Vitamin C makes the headlines when it comes to cancer prevention. Its
antioxidant properties protect cells and their DNA from damage and mutation.
It supports the body's immune system, the first line of defense against cancer,
and prevents certain cancer-causing compounds from forming in the body.
Vitamin C reduces the risk of getting almost all types of cancer.
It appears that this nutrient doesn't directly attack cancer that has already
occurred, but it helps keep the immune system nourished, enabling it to battle
the cancer.
As an antioxidant, vitamin C helps to prevent cataracts -- the clouding of the
lens of the eye that can lead to blindness in older adults.
As with the other antioxidants, vitamin C helps to prevent heart disease by
preventing free radicals from damaging artery walls, which could lead to
plaque formation. This nutrient also keeps cholesterol in the bloodstream from
oxidizing, another early step in the progression towards heart disease and stroke.
High blood pressure may also improve in the presence of this wonder vitamin.
Asthmatics tend to have higher needs for vitamin C because of its antioxidant
function in the lungs and airways.
People with diabetes can benefit from extra vitamin C, too.
This nutrient can help regulate blood sugar levels. Since insulin helps vitamin C,
as well as glucose, get into cells, people with diabetes may not have enough
vitamin C inside many of their cells.
