What is vitamin C? In 1937 Gyorgy Szent obtained the novel for his research on vitamin C. Since then, up to our days, science has discovered that this micronutrient, undoubtedly the most important of all, performs many functions essential for the proper functioning of our body. As we will see later, vitamin C is vital in the prevention of diseases and necessary for homeostasis, the optimal state of health. And to prove this claim a small example: for centuries, in the large oceanic voyages, many people died desangradas before reaching its destination, then did not know that this was due to lack of vitamin C, whose black, among other things, prevents the formation of collagen, a protein that protects, strengthens and gives elasticity and skin as the arteriesveins and capillaries, without them these are broken and the person dies bleeding. They also noted that men were dying while the cats who accompanied them on the ships remained unscathed. Centuries later it was discovered the cause of this curious phenomenon, and is not that unlike the cat or dog, which can synthesize vitamin C, humans cannot, with must obtain it through proper nutrition.

What does vitamin C? Vitamin C is required for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of the body. 1. It is necessary to form collagen, a protein, as we have already said, to form the skin, scar tissue, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels. 2 Vitamin C is essential for wound healing and repair and maintenance of cartilage, bones and teeth. 3. It is a potent antioxidant like vitamin and beta-carotene. Acting free radicals neutralization and prevention of tumors.

3 Vitamin C deficiency can lead to drying out and damage the hair, making it fragile and brittle. 4 When we lack the necessary vitamin C can trigger a multitude of problems: gingivitis (inflammation of the) gums) and bleeding gums, skin rough, dry and scaly, nasal decrease in the rate of wound healing, easy bruising, bleeding tendency, weakening the enamel of teeth, pain and inflammation of the joints, anemia, decreased ability to stop infections and possibly weight gain because the low metabolic rate and low expenditure of energy a serious form of vitamin C deficiency is known as scurvywhich mainly affects adults of age and malnourished. What daily dose is recommended, and in which food is vitamin C? As we have said, the Agency not factory vitamin C by itself only nor nor stores, it is therefore important to include many foods containing vitamin C in the diet. Vitamin C is water-soluble and is regularly excreted by the body, so toxicity is very rare. However, except special cases (extreme sport, hard professions, people with cancer, heavy smokers) is sufficient to take 2 grams a day, given that in high doses can cause stomach upset and diarrhea. All fruits and vegetables contain some amount of vitamin C. Foods that tend to be the major sources of vitamin C are, among others: green pepper, fruits and Citrus juices, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, turnips and other vegetables of green leaf, papaya, mango, melon, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, red peppers, raspberry, parsley, aloe verapineapple and blueberries.