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Vitamin C
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is responsible for countless
functions in the body. Most people are aware that vitamin C is great for
helping to ward off colds but it has many other important function as well
such as lowering blood pressure, relieving stress, keeping the immune system
healthy and producing collagen. Vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant.
One function that vitamin C provides is producing collagen. Collagen helps
to  heal injuries such as broken bones, lesions, sprained joints along with
many other injuries. Because of vitamin C’s healing capabilities, it is
thought that this vitamin can help muscles recover faster and better after a
workout. It also may reduce pain and bruising associated with bodybuilding.
Vitamin C also helps to give structure and maintain bones, teeth,
cartilage, capillaries, veins and muscles. By strengthening arterial walls,
vitamin C may lower blood pressure. It is responsible for many functions
which help us live longer, healthier lives.
Intake
Humans do not have the ability to produce vitamin C therefore all the daily
required amounts must come from either diet or supplements. The body
processes vitamin C very quickly so it is important to make sure that
vitamin C is part of your diet regularly. Because the body processes
vitamin C so rapidly, many nutritionists suggest taking vitamin C three
times per day. Humans also cannot store it making it even more important
that vitamin C is a daily part of everyone’s diet. The USA Recommended
Daily Allowance of vitamin C is 60mgs but many doctors and nutritionists
suggest amounts closer to 500-1500mg per day for the average person. If you
are considering bodybuilding or want help fighting off a cold, somewhere
between 1500-5000mgs of vitamin C per day should be more effective. Because
vitamin C is water-soluble, any excess of the vitamin that you have in your
system is flushed out of your body through your fluids. Something else to
keep in mind if you’re taking a vitamin C supplement is to take it in a
liquid form as opposed to a pill form. Taking it in pill form makes it
difficult for your body to absorb the vitamin properly.
Sources
For those of you who are not taking a vitamin C supplement, it’s important
to make sure that you’re eating enough foods that are vitamin C rich. It is
found almost exclusively in fruits and vegetables. It’s widely known that
citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruits are high in vitamin C but many
other fruits and vegetables are also high in the vitamin. For example,
cauliflower, strawberries, brussel sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, kiwi,
potatoes, and pineapple are all good sources of vitamin C. Cooking fruits
and vegetables that are high in vitamin C may destroy a lot of the vitamin
so it is best to eat sources raw. Also keep in mind that since vitamin C is
water soluble, it’s best to store fruits and vegetables that are vitamin C
rich in minimal amounts of water so as to make sure that food retains as
much of the vitamin as possible.
Author Info:
This is a unique article written by Emily Roy for
Schwarzenegger.ca
It may not be duplicated, copied or otherwise used in any
manner without the full written consent of
Schwarzenegger.ca and its owners. |
Most people will say that bodybuilding
supplements are vital to any bodybuilder's training program. Among the top
of the bodybuilding supplements is creatine. Bodybuilder's believe that
supplementing creatine into their diet helps them achieve bigger strength
gains. Creatine is one of the most widely used and sought after bodybuilding
supplements. As a bodybuiler I consistently interact with people
supplementing their diet with creatine.