Vitamin C Beyond Immunity: 5 Ways Your Body Really Uses It

We all know the importance of Vitamin C to maintain a healthy immune system. But it does, and affects so much more. Here are 5 things most people do not know about Vitamin C: 

1. Vitamin C is saturable, meaning there is a limit to how much your body can take in at once. Because of this, higher doses are not absorbed as well. 200 mg of ascorbic acid, which is the isolated form of Vitamin C, is absorbed at about 85%, whereas 1000 mg is only absorbed around 50%. The remaining ascorbic acid remains in the gut, pulls water in, and can cause loose stools. 

2. Vitamin C competes with glucose for transport to cells. So for those with diabetes, insulin resistance, or unstable blood sugars, their Vitamin C needs are increased. 

3. Chronic stress can significantly deplete Vitamin C since the adrenal glands are a major storage site. This is why individuals under a lot of stress will see a deficiency even when routinely taking vitamin C supplements. 

4. Vitamin C taken 30 minutes after consuming plant-based or supplemented iron can increase the absorption of iron. Iron easily binds to things like phytates, polyphenols, and calcium, which then makes it unavailable for the body to use. Vitamin C prevents this binding from happening. 

5. Vitamin C lowers histamine levels. Which is especially helpful for those who suffer from seasonal allergies, hives, mast cell issues, and those struggling with estrogen dominance (since estrogen and histamine amplify each other).

Vitamin C does a lot for our bodies and plays a role in many ways most of us never knew. 

For a whole-food form of Vitamin C, and additional herbal support, here is a quick read on Camu Camu, the world's second most concentrated form of vitamin C. It is what you will find in my medicine cabinet!