Vitamin C is one of the most well-known nutrients in the world.
Feeling under the weather? First sign of a cold? That could be your body telling you it is low in this essential source.
You see, because Vitamin C is water-soluble our bodies aren’t able to store it. Meaning it’s vital to get enough from your diet every day. Or if you aren’t sure your diet is giving you enough, try taking a daily supplement.
Vitamin C is found in many fruits and vegetables, including oranges, strawberries, kiwi fruit, but also some more unusual ones like peppers, broccoli, kale, and spinach.
According to the European Commission’s Health Claims Register1, Vitamin C is needed for healthy skin, blood vessels, bones and cartilage, supporting immune function, especially during and after intense exercise, normal physiological and nervous function and improved absorption of iron from plant sources. That’s a lot of uses!
A Vitamin C deficiency is rare but can lead to scurvy, which causes symptoms such as fatigue and swollen, bleeding gums2.
But does taking Vitamin C work?
Dr Roger Henderson is an independent GP, contributor to the national media and fan of Manuka honey. He told us he recommends a Vitamin C supplement to patients to help support immunity.
And Dr Henderson’s views have been supported by wider studies.
A large scale review of 100,000 participants in 2013 found that active people benefited from taking at least 200 mg of vitamin C every day with researchers commenting that this cut the risk of catching a cold in half3.
But while it’s commonly advised to get your vitamin C intake from foods, many people turn to supplements to meet their needs.
Women and men need 80mg of vitamin C everyday but higher doses are common. In fact the NHS website writes that dose up to 1000mg are acceptable4.
Manuka Doctor’s High Strength Vitamin C contains 1000mg of Vitamin C along with Zinc and Manuka Honey powder. Designed to help support your immune system, simply take two tablets daily in order to have the right dose.
Sources:
1. https://ec.europa.eu/food/safety/labelling_nutrition/claims/register/public/
2. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/scurvy
3. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130213082334.htm
4. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-c/
