Vitamin C and the Baby Boomers
Vitamin C or ascorbic acid as it is sometimes called is a water-soluble vitamin. It is not produced in the body and must be taken in by the foods we eat or by supplements. It is one of the most protective vitamins that we as (aging) baby boomers can consume.
One of the earliest known benefits of the vitamin was when
"limeys" or British sailors started using limes to replenish their supply of vitamin C after developing a disease known as scurvy. The sailors would become easily fatigued, begin to have swelling and pain in the joints along with hair and tooth loss, even bruising and bleeding. Eating the vitamin rich fruit would reverse the symptoms.
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It is one of the more effective antioxidant vitamins and thus its value to us aging baby boomers. It protects from the damage of free radicals in numerous ways. The many types of cells in the body are protected, one primary area being the DNA and RNA building blocks of the body.
This study (Enstrom JE, Kanim LE, Klein MA. Vitamin C intake and mortality among a sample of the United States population. Epidemiology. 1992;3(3):194-202) found that the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases was 42% lower in men and 25% lower in women who consumed more than 50 mg/day of dietary vitamin C and who regularly took vitamin C supplements.
In addition to vitamin C being a primary protector of the body's cells, it is also important to the formation of a structural component of the body called collagen. Collagen is a protein and is the body's way of keeping us together. It connects and supports body tissue, bones, muscles and the connective tissues such as tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. The blood vessels are aided by the collagen as well.
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One further formation playing role of vitamin C is concerning the neurotransmitter, norepinephrine. It aids in the availability of serotonin and norepinephrine which in turn helps to fight depression. Wikipedia states "Differences in the norepinephrine system are implicated in depression. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors are antidepressants that treat depression by increasing the amount of serotonin and norepinephrine available to postsynaptic cells in the brain."
There are numerous studies out that shows vitamin C helps to lower the risk of a number of different types of cancer. This is accomplished not only by its ability to fight the damage of free radicals but also by helping to prevent the formation of cancer causing carcinogens known as N-nitroso compounds which many times originate from preserved an/or processed meats.
Other areas in which ascorbic acid is beneficial to aging baby boomers are that it helps in the absorption of iron both from plant and animal sources. One study in 1998 showed that when taken as supplements the vitamin reduced the incidence of Alzheimer's Disease. It has also been shown that when paired with beta-carotene a great amount of protection against Parkinson's Disease is provided.
Vitamin C, when added with certain other vitamins and minerals such as vitamin E, Zinc and beta-carotene, provide a strong combination to strengthen the immune system. When added with selenium and vitamin E, the percentage of risk is much lower for developing macular degeneration. And lastly, when added with vitamin E, the pair provide a natural defense for the aging effects of the skin. Vitamin C also reactivates the antioxidant ability of vitamin E after it has been used up while neutralizing free radicals.v
Food sources for the vitamin include almost all types of the fruits and vegetables. Some are broccoli, cauliflower, mustard and turnip greens, brussel sprouts, spinach, cabbage, asparagus and celery. The fruits would include cantaloupe, limes, oranges and grapefruit as well as strawberries an other types of fruit.
The recommended dietary allowances are broken up for men and women. The recognized allowance for women is 75 milligrams/day and 90 milligrams/day for men. It is also recommended that smoker's daily intake should be at least 35 mg's higher because of the oxidative stress placed on their bodies. One scientist/educator, Linus Pauling, recommended extremely high daily amounts of vitamin C for all around maximum health.
Specific to the Baby Boomers
The antioxidant value, especially when added with other vitamins and minerals, is unsurpassed.
Cardiovascular diseases have been significantly lowered in those who regularly take the vitamin.
Cellular damage is decreased overall because of its antioxidant abilities.
Collagen, one of the glues/protein that hold us together, is dependent on its synthesis ability.
The neurotransmitter, norepinephrine, is aided in its formation by vitamin C and helps fight depression.
Cancers such as stomach, colon, mouth and throat, lung, breast cancer and more have been lowered in risk by the use of vitamin C. (Much of the research centers on mega-doses of supplements and/or intravenous or ascorbate infusions.)
Iron absorption is aided helping to have healthy red blood cells which in turn aids the body's oxidation.
Neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease have been reduced when taken as supplements and paired with other vitamins.
The immune system is strengthened.
Macular degeneration risk are decreased.
Aging effects of the skin have been shown to slow.
It reactivates the antioxidant ability of Vitamin E.
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