Micro Vit C - 1080

Vitamin C is involved in hundreds of processes in the body. One of its main functions is to help the body produce collagen, a protein essential for the formation of connective tissue in skin, ligaments and bones. It also helps maintain immune function, activates wound healing, participates in the formation of red blood cells and enhances the absorption of iron from plants.

Another important role of vitamin C is its antioxidant effect, which protects cells against damage inflicted by free radicals.

Preventing colds

For people who have to perform strenuous physical activity or expose themselves to the cold, doses of 250 mg to 1 g of vitamin C per day, 3 to 8 weeks beforehand, can reduce the risk of catching a cold10.

However, the preventive effect of vitamin C (up to 3 g per day) has not been confirmed by another study47 and, according to the results of another team of researchers, is only effective in individuals exposed to stress48.

Iron absorption

Vitamin C (minimum 200 mg per day) combined with a daily intake of iron (30 mg) increases iron absorption in adults49. In children, a daily intake of vitamin C (25-50 mg) improves the absorption of iron from the diet, which would be equivalent to consuming approximately twice as much iron50,51.

Pneumonia

Vitamin C may have a preventive effect, and may also reduce the duration of the disease, particularly in those with low levels of vitamin C52.

Tetanus

Concomitant intake of vitamin C (1 g per day) and anti-tetanus medication reduces mortality in children with tetanus, compared to those treated with the drug alone53.

Cognition

Maintaining a good blood level of vitamin C appears to protect against cognitive impairment, according to a scientific review published in 2012. The authors of this study point out that it is more important to avoid a vitamin C deficiency than to consume a vitamin C surplus54.

Preventing gout

A 20-year follow-up of a group of volunteers showed that the number of cases of gout was lower in individuals taking more vitamin C43. This result, and that of a clinical trial showing that doses of 500 mg of vitamin C per day for 2 months can significantly reduce blood uric acid levels44 , mean that vitamin C can be considered as an additional preventive tool45.

Prevention of cardiovascular disease

The effects of vitamin C on cardiovascular health have been the subject of numerous epidemiological and clinical studies. However, the results are contradictory, and the scientific community is reluctant to recommend the use of supplements to prevent diseases such as coronary heart disease, hypertension11 or stroke12.

Cancer prevention

There's no proof of this, but vitamin C continues to attract the interest of many researchers. While high fruit and vegetable consumption is associated with a lower risk of cancer13,27, vitamin C supplementation does not appear to replicate this effect14,15,17. More specific studies on gastrointestinal cancers31 or prostate cancer39 have reached the same conclusion, i.e. that vitamin C supplements have no effect.

Cataract prevention

Epidemiological data indicate a correlation between high blood levels of vitamin C and a reduced prevalence of cataracts24-26. In clinical trials, results obtained with antioxidant supplements containing vitamin C are contradictory, and those obtained specifically with the vitamin are negative41. More recently, a meta-analysis reports no preventive effect of vitamin C on cataracts57.

Preventing macular degeneration

In a study published in 2001 (AREDS), 3,640 subjects aged 55 to 80 were followed for 6 years. In those suffering from moderate to advanced macular degeneration, supplementation with 500 mg vitamin C, 400 IU vitamin E, 15 mg beta-carotene and 80 mg zinc slowed the progression of the disease28.

Asthma treatment

According to a study published in 2009, a diet low in vitamins A and C is associated with a greater risk of asthma42. Treatments with vitamin C have been tried, but their quality and results were deemed insufficient to recommend the use of supplements in the treatment of asthma29.

Long-term consumption of high doses of vitamin C supplements should be avoided in cases of :

- renal insufficiency accompanied by a disorder of vitamin C or oxalic acid metabolism;

- hemochromatosis;

- G6PD deficiency;

- intestinal surgery.