Are You Really Getting the Whole C?

Ascorbic acid is in everything. It's largely known as vitamin C. And it's in everything we eat from the cereals we consume to the juices we drink.

Vitamin C is largely known as an immune booster. It's also important in the growth and repair of tissue cells and in the aid of iron absorption.

So how upset would you be if you realized that you were only getting 1/8 of your vitamin C in each dose?

Would it be surprising to know that there are actually 8 components to vitamin C? Ascorbic acid is only one of those components—the outer shell. You've also got:

• Rutin
• Bioflavonoids
• Factor K
• Factor J
• Factor P
• Tyrosinase
• Ascorbinogen

Those components, along with ascorbic acid, make up your entire vitamin C complex. (O'Shea)

Interestingly enough, approximately 80% of ascorbic acid is imported from China. This is the ascorbic acid found in our cereals, crackers, fruit snacks, and juice. And when you're only consuming 1/8 of your total amount of vitamin C, it probably won't do you much good.

Is there harm in taking ascorbic acid? Probably not alone, but when you're not consuming the whole C it's been known to actually cause deficiencies. Here are a few of the symptoms of deficiency (Brody):

• Anemia
• Fatigue
• Poor digestion
• Easy bruising
• Increased colds
• Poor lactation
• Swollen or painful joints

Natural sources are a great way to get the nutrition and whole vitamin C complex that you need. Fresh fruits, vegetables, rosehips, and acerola cherries are great sources of vitmain C and will give you the complete Vitamin C that your body needs.

Look for a whole food nutrition supplement that includes these sources for the best and most complete form of vitamin C for your body. You'll find your immune system is boosted better when you're getting the whole C. (Smith)

References:

Brody, Jane, "Ascorbic acid may damage DNA," New York Times; April 9, 1998

Smith, Mary Roberts, "Looking Younger and Living Longer," TSH-Health, Teacher's Storehouse

O'Shea, Tim, "Ascorbic Acid Is Not Vitamin C," Whole Food Vitamins