Vitamin C not only for immunity, but also for healthy skin

Most of us think about how to support immunity every year. Even more so in unusual times when there is more circulating than just the “ordinary” flu. Vitamin C is a well-known and established nutrient for immune function. Read on to find out how it works and what else it does.

Vitamin C supports the immune system

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin and a powerful antioxidant. In food, it is found mainly in fruit and vegetables. Sauerkraut is a particularly good source of vitamin C. The recommended daily intake for adults is 60 mg. Some experts recommend taking up to 250 mg a day. In today's highly stressful and demanding world, our requirements can be considerably higher. Smokers also have a greater need for vitamin C (by 60 to 100 %), as do people who are currently dealing with an infectious illness.

Vitamin C supports the immune system, and taking it in a high-quality form can shorten the duration of a cold and ease its symptoms. It is also needed for regenerative processes in the body and plays a role in the protection and renewal of bones, muscles and skin. It is important for the healing of wounds and is also needed for the proper absorption of iron. Some studies suggest that vitamin C may offer protection against certain types of cancer. Some practitioners also recommend high-dose intravenous vitamin C as an alternative treatment for existing cancer instead of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

What are the signs of vitamin C deficiency?

A lack of vitamin C can cause tiredness, general weakness, muscle and joint pain and, in more severe cases, bleeding gums and increased susceptibility to colds and infectious illnesses. An extreme deficiency can lead to scurvy, the so-called sailors' disease, which affected those who had no access to fresh fruit and vegetables during long voyages. As a preventive measure, ships therefore carried barrels of sauerkraut, which could be stored for long periods without spoiling. Scurvy can cause increased bleeding, tooth loss, swelling of the joints and gums, increased bone fragility and stomach ulcers.

Vitamin C for healthy-looking skin

Vitamin C is one of the most powerful antioxidants, which makes it particularly useful in anti-ageing skincare. It can be supplemented internally as well as applied directly to the skin through good-quality skincare products containing vitamin C. Vitamin C helps protect the skin against oxidative stress and free radicals caused by stress, pollution and the various toxins and chemicals we encounter every day. Vitamin C supports regenerative processes in the skin, helping to minimise the appearance of wrinkles while also supporting the healing of spots and other minor skin concerns. It is also important for collagen production, which is needed to keep the skin firm and supple.

For skincare, we recommend the vitamin C-rich moisturising cleansing POWER balm, followed by the rejuvenating ROYAL C facial serum and DRAGON'S BLOOD cleansing oil. The newest addition is a super-serum in ampoules – a multi-week intensive ampoule treatment with 60% vitamin C and another powerful antioxidant, Pycnogenol.^® It gives dull, tired-looking skin a boost. It has strong regenerative and healing properties. All of these products are from Lovinah.

Which products contain vitamin C?

Pure, 100% natural and wholefood vitamin C is found in Purely-C from North American Herb & Spice. This product contains only pure powder from Amazonian camu camu fruit, wild acerola cherry, wild sumac and wild rosehip in raw form. All of these fruits are known for their naturally high vitamin C and antioxidant content. Purely-C contains 310 mg of vitamin C per serving (1 teaspoon). Another natural vitamin C supplement is Elder-C. It contains a dried concentrate of black elderberry and camu camu, together with wild Turkish oregano, which has remarkable potential for supporting the immune system and acts as a powerful natural antibiotic. Unlike Purely-C, Elder-C comes in capsules.

Another product from North American Herb & Spice is raw liquid vitamin C Kids-C Plus for kids. It contains camu camu and acerola extracts and is enriched with a blend of essential oils from wild oregano. The product comes in a micellised, water-soluble form. This means you can mix it into a child's drink if they have difficulty taking it directly. Although they probably will not mind it :). This vitamin supplement is flavoured with orange oil and clover honey, giving it a pleasant, gently sweet taste. The same brand also offers a powdered zinc product enriched with vitamin C.