5 Healthy Reasons to Take a Vitamin C

Vitamin C has been praised for its antioxidant and immune-boosting properties, but this vitamin is also essential to healthy skin. Vitamin C is an effective skin brightener that can reduce the appearance of sun damage. It also helps prevent wrinkles and fine lines resulting from chronic sun exposure and environmental stress.

Ascorbic acid and other antioxidants found in natures way vitamin c products protect the skin from environmental stresses, including pollution and cigarette smoke. Products containing vitamin C can also soothe irritation and inflammation caused by shaving, waxing, laser treatments or other cosmetic procedures. And because vitamin C stimulates collagen production, it may also help reduce acne scarring over time.

Here are 5 healthy reasons to take a vitamin C supplement:

1. Vitamin C boosts collagen

Natural sources of vitamin C or collagen supplements are the few sources of collagen, which supports skin elasticity and smoothness. As you age, your body’s ability to produce collagen decreases — making it more difficult to maintain clear, healthy-looking skin. By taking a daily vitamin C supplement, you can help boost your body’s collagen production and diminish the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

2. Treats Asthma and Allergies

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, and helps reduce inflammation in the body. Research has shown that people with asthma can benefit from vitamin C supplementation, because it reduces the symptoms of asthma, like wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. Some studies have also shown that vitamin C can help reduce the severity of hay fever and allergic reactions in up to 90% of patients. Additionally, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that people who consumed more vitamin C had fewer allergic reactions than those who consumed less.

3. Benefits Immune System Function

The immune system protects our bodies against bacteria, viruses and other foreign invaders every day. Vitamin C is essential for proper immune system function, keeping your body healthy and preventing infections from developing. It also helps build white blood cells which fight abnormal cell growth that can lead to cancer. A deficiency in vitamin C impairs your immune system by reducing the number of white blood cells that are produced and slowing down their movement.

4. Helps Support Healthy Immune System Function

Vitamin C plays an important role in the development and function of white blood cells, which help protect against infection. In fact, vitamin C levels have even been shown to be a better predictor of overall immune health than the number of infections a person has had or whether they smoke or not.

5. Essential for Collagen Formation

Collagen acts as a support structure for many parts of the body including muscles, tendons and ligaments. Vitamin C is needed to synthesize collagen, providing strength and flexibility to our connective tissue.

Taken in excess, vitamin C is excreted in the urine; taken in lower doses, it’s stored in the body. To prevent possible toxicity from too much vitamin C, avoid megadosing and stick to the recommended dietary allowance. The best way to get your vitamins is through a healthy diet that includes a variety of fresh produce, but if you don’t get all your nutrients from food and want to take a supplement, talk to your doctor first.