Vitamin C
Benefits of Vitamin C
- Skin
- Blood vessels
- Immune system
- Bones
- Iron absorption
- Protection of cells from oxidative stress
- Form: Ascorbic acid, Calcium-L-Ascorbate
- Food source: Citrus fruit, berries, kiwi, peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and potatoes.
What is Vitamin C?
During the Age of Exploration, an estimated two million sailors died of the disease known as 'scurvy'. Eventually, largely thanks to the traditional medicine practised in the societies they encountered, they realised that the problem was linked to diet, and in particular to a lack of fresh citrus fruit. We now know that the missing nutrient was Vitamin C.
What does Vitamin C do?
Vitamin C has a huge range of roles in the body. Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system, to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin, blood vessels and bones, and to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
Many of these roles come down to collagen. Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body and provides structure to your skin. Your body needs Vitamin C to make collagen, in a step called hydroxylation. Copper is involved too, in a later step. As we age, our levels of collagen decline. The decline also speeds up during menopause, when oestrogen levels drop. Vitamin C is widely studied in skin research.
The collagen that Vitamin C helps produce is also part of the walls of our blood vessels. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of blood vessels, and researchers have looked at Vitamin C levels in the blood in relation to heart health. Vitamin C also contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of bones, cartilage, gums and teeth.
Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system. Your immune cells use it as a free-radical scavenger. Some immune cells release reactive chemicals to destroy bacteria and debris in the body, and Vitamin C contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. Researchers have looked at how Vitamin C and Zinc work together in the immune system, and at the question 'should we supplement?'.
Vitamin C increases iron absorption. This is especially important for those who don't eat meat, because iron from plant foods is harder for the body to absorb.
Vitamin C is sensitive to heat, so cooking reduces the amount in our food. In winter, when we tend to eat fewer raw fruits and vegetables and more cooked meals, it's worth keeping plenty of Vitamin C-rich foods on the menu.
You may also enjoy reading '44 is the age we notice signs of ageing', 'How menopause affects your skin and hair' and 'Best foods for acne'.
Why it's in Hydrate+
Water-soluble antioxidant: Vitamin C circulates in plasma and interstitial fluid, helping maintain osmotic balance by scavenging free radicals and protecting endothelial function.1
Modulation of inflammation: Through collagen synthesis, Vitamin C strengthens capillaries, minimising fluid leakage and supporting microcirculatory exchange of fluids.1
Supports capillary integrity: Indirectly supports electrolyte gradient maintenance by protecting cellular components from oxidative stress.2
Enhances sodium-potassium ATPase function: Chronic stress suppresses immune function. Selenium helps strengthen the immune response by supporting the function of immune cells including T-cells, B-cells, and macrophages. By enhancing immune function, selenium helps the body cope with infections or illnesses that may arise as a result of stress.
Why it's in OsteoFriend®
Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis, acting as a cofactor for prolyl and lysyl hydroxylase. It promotes osteoblast differentiation and has antioxidant properties that protect bone-forming cells.3
Why it's in Daily Multivitamin
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for natural killer cells, neutrophils and other immune cells. Without Vitamin C the immune system is ineffective.4
Why it's in Screen Eyes™
Vitamins are essential for maintaining eye health and for vision preservation.
Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that helps neutralise free radicals in the eye, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. Vitamin C is also needed for collagen synthesis, an essential protein for maintaining the structural integrity of the cornea and lens.5
Why it's in Pregnancy Multinutrient
Vitamin C is required for the production of collagen, essential for the formation of foetal skin, bones and blood vessels. Collagen is the main structural component in every cell, with higher levels in the neonate than at any other time in life.
Why it's in Kid's ProMulti
As a cofactor for numerous enzymatic reactions, Vitamin C maintains immune cell integrity by reducing oxidative stress.6 Certain GPX1 polymorphisms can increase Vitamin C requirements.7 Observational studies show that low plasma ascorbate correlates with higher incidence of gingivitis in school-age children.8
Why it's in Men's ProMulti
Functions as a potent antioxidant and enzyme cofactor in collagen biosynthesis, immune defence, and neurotransmitter synthesis. Vitamin C enhances neutrophil function and reduces the severity of infections. Vitamin C also acts as an antioxidant, protecting against endothelial dysfunction.9,10
Why it's in Skin Saviour®
Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant and a cofactor for collagen synthesis.
Collagen synthesis: Vitamin C is essential for the hydroxylation of proline and lysine in collagen production, supporting skin elasticity.11
Antioxidant protection: Vitamin C neutralises ROS generated by UV radiation, reducing oxidative stress and photodamage and helps to protect telomere length.12
Why it's in PeriMenoFriend®
Vitamin C is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and collagen-promoter.
Antioxidant: Vitamin C neutralises oxidation. As oestrogen declines, oxidation rises, worsening perimenopausal symptoms. Vitamin C regenerates other antioxidants, preventing cellular damage. Elevated oxidation increases cardiovascular disease risk, osteoporosis, and cognitive decline. Adequate vitamin C reduces these risks.
Collagen synthesis and skin health: Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis in skin, joint, and vascular health. Low oestrogen leads to reduced collagen production, contributing to skin ageing, reduced elasticity and joint pain. Vitamin C helps maintain the structural integrity of skin, cartilage, and blood vessels.
Bone health and osteoporosis prevention: Vitamin C promotes collagen formation in the bone matrix, where it supports osteoblast (bone-building) activity. Menopause accelerates bone resorption and reduces bone mineral density (BMD). Vitamin C enhances calcium absorption and supporting collagen synthesis, providing structure for bone mineralisation.
Vitamin D3
Our plant-based Vitamin D3 is sourced from green algae that provides more effective D3, making it better for you and our planet.
Zinc
Zinc is essential for the normal functioning of our immune system, and for the health of our hair and skin. Infections, hair loss and white marks on nails are among the signs of a deficiency.
Vitamin K2
Vitamin K2 is a less well-known vitamin but plays a vital role in heart and bone health. It can easily be gained through our diet in foods such as green leafy vegetables, so deficiency is rare.
Folate
Folate is required in the synthesis of DNA and the replication of new cells. It is needed in during pregnancy to help prevent neural tube defects in the foetus.
Inulin
Inulin is a gut-friendly fibre that helps friendly, active bacteria in your gut to grow. Inulin is a 'prebiotic', and prebiotics are vital to the health of probiotics.
Manganese
Manganese is an important trace mineral, like zinc, copper and iodine, meaning that our bodies require it in small amounts for a variety of crucial processes.
Red Clover
Providing Isoflavones, Red Clover is widely studied for its role in supporting cardiovascular health.
Reishi Mushroom
Reishi mushroom, also known as 'Ganoderma Lucidum', belongs to the fungus kingdom and is native to China. Reishi is thought to support the body’s natural defences against pathogens such as bacteria and viruses.
