Sources Of Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

The human body does not produce Vitamin C and it needs to be taken in our diet or as dietary supplements. Vitamin C can be taken from plants and animal sources, such as most fruits and vegetables but particularly broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, emblica officinalis (amla), green and red peppers, and potatoes (with skin). Fruits that are rich in vitamin C include guava, papaya, orange, and mango. Animal sources include calf liver, beef liver, pork, and cow milk. Ascorbic acid can also be taken through synthetic sources, in the form of drinks, capsules, and tablets and can be applied to skin in the form of lotions and creams.

Vitamin C is highly soluble in water and can be easily lost as a result of cooking because often the water is discarded before eating. Ascorbic acid is also destroyed when foods are exposed to oxygen, light, and heat. Oxidation in foods takes place when the foods are exposed to air. Vitamin C rich food must be stored in a dark and cool place, in a non-metal container.

Vitamin C can be taken in dietary as well as in topical forms for skin care. Vitamin C in the form of L-ascorbic acid is useful to both the skin and the whole body. L-ascorbic acid breaks down rapidly and is therefore difficult to produce for topical application and to produce skin care products. However once absorbed by the skin, L-ascorbic acid stays in the skin for up to 72 hours, and prevents UV immunosuppression, which causes skin cancer. Ascorbic acid cannot be washed, rubbed, or perspired from the skin. Recent estimates have indicated that one in three adults in the USA has high blood pressure and that a third of these people are unaware of their condition. Your blood pressure is quite simply the force of the blood on the artery walls when the heart beats (systolic pressure) and when it rests between beats (diastolic pressure). The normal values are less 120 mm Hg systolic and less 80 mm Hg diastolic. If your blood pressure is 140-159 mm Hg Systolic over 90-99 mm Hg Diastolic then this is classified as High blood pressure or Hypertension.