Apr 06, 2021

THE BEST IMMUNITY BOOSTER

The Best Immunity Booster – Vit C

The urgent need for immunity

After the start of the corona pandemic, immunity is the key to healthy and disease-free long life. During the corona pandemic, most of the people who developed severe corona infection were the ones with compromised immunity, for example, the people with lifestyle disorders (diabetes, hypertension, etc.), the elderly, and the weak. However, the lowest incidences of corona infections occurred in children for the simple reason that they have the best immunity. Now, it is an established fact that immunity decides whether you will catch an infection or not, and not only the presence of pathogens around you.

Natural immunity with Vit C

We cannot stay children always. However, there are ways to develop a child-like robust immunity. One of the ways is - to take health supplements like Vit C. Vit C or ascorbic acid is one of the most efficient immunity boosters.

Health Benefits of Vit C

The powerful antioxidant action of Vit C helps to protect the cells from early cell aging and death.
Vit C helps to protect from chronic disorders by accelerating the rate of tissue repair.
It also helps to protect the body from chronic inflammation.
Helps to relax the blood vessels and prevents high BP.
Helps to regulate both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Can lower the risk of heart disease by 25%.
Significantly reduces LDL and triglycerides and prevents atherosclerosis.
Lowers the blood uric acid and prevents gout.
Improves the rate of iron absorption and prevents anemia.
Improves immunity by boosting production of white blood cells, enhancing skin defense and shortening the wound healing time.
Protects the brain cells and prevents dementia.

There are multiple other incredible health benefits of Vit C. However, these advantages completely depend on the type of Vit C you use. In a market full of Vit C health supplements, it is important to make the right choices in terms of quality and efficacy.

There are primarily two types of Vit C supplements available in the market. Let's explore which is the better one for you.

Synthetic Vit C Vs Organic Vit C

In the past few decades, people were bombarded with a variety of artificial health supplements like synthetic vitamins, mineral extract, proteins, etc. It almost became a norm to eat some pills every day to boost immunity and stay healthy.

However, now people are more aware of the health hazards of these synthetic health supplements.

Synthetic Vit C may contain many bioactive ingredients that may lead to high blood pressure, irregular heart rate, digestive issues, dizziness, headache, and many more health problems.
Most of the synthetic Vit C is procured from genetically modified corn. GM corn is known to trigger multiple health disorders including autoimmune disorders.
According to some recent studies, synthetic Vit C can form genotoxins and have a carcinogenic effect on the body!!!
Excess intake of Synthetic Vit C may interfere with the antioxidant enzymes and reduce endurance capacity. (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Jan 2008)
Long-term intake of synthetic Vit C may also lead to thickening of arteries or atherosclerosis. In this way, Vit C may actually lead to heart disease instead of preventing it.

Side effects are not the only problem with synthetic Vit C, but there are other health problems as well.

Synthetic Vit C is artificially manufactured in an industry processing environment, unlike the whole nutrient that organically develops in a plant or animal.
Therefore, its bioavailability is unclear and probably not very high.
On the other hand, whole or organic Vit C supplements do not contain isolated chemicals, like synthetic ones. They come as a whole group of multiple other nutrients, which may help to increase the overall bioavailability and rate of absorption.
A recent scientific study proved that the rate of absorption for whole Vit E is double as compared to the synthetic Vit E. Same rule may apply to Vit C as well.
A lack of these cluster nutrients in synthetic health supplements may lead to a very rate of absorption and thus low efficacy.
On the other hand, the whole Vit C brings more comprehensive nutrition to the body with a complete bouquet of bio-active nutrients.

Bottom line is that synthetic Vit C may not bring adequate nutrition to the body, but may create side effects on long-term use. But herbal Vit C brings all the goodness of nature with it. In a way, the difference between synthetic Vit C and herbal Vit C is the same as the difference between formulae milk and real mother's milk! You now know which one to choose!

Natural Sources of Vit C

Since synthetic health supplements are not an ideal solution, let us look at the natural and side effect free ways to get Vit C -

A whole food diet is much better than health supplements. In fact, our diet is the only way nutrition arrives in our bodies since time immemorial. And each fruit, vegetable, or grain is a unique combination of nutrients. Let us look at some of the traditional food items that contain enormous about of bioavailable Vit C.

Awla or Indian Gooseberry (one of the best sources of Vit C)
Citrus fruits like oranges, lemon, kinnow, etc
Plums
Cherries
Rosehips
Chili peppers
Lychee
Persimmons
Papaya
Guava
Strawberries
Black currents
Kiwi
Tomato
Potatoes

Above mentioned foods constitute only an indicative list for a natural source of Vit C. Vit C is present in small traces in almost all fruits and vegetables.

To Conclude

Vit C is essential for great immunity. It not only prevents disorders but also helps to repair and rejuvenate body tissues. But, it is important to choose the right source of Vit C. A wrong choice may snowball into multiple serious side effects instead of health benefits. Therefore, go for whole Vit C, naturally available in our food. However, if you are not able to get a good `dose of natural Vit C through food, opt for a herbal Vit C supplement and not the synthetic one.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17508099/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14732624/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17209208/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9537614