Vitamin C, also known as Ascorbic Acid, is a vitamin that your body needs to form blood vessels, cartilage, muscle and collagen in bones. It is considered an antioxidant that is vital to your body’s healing process. Because our bodies do not produce Vitamin C we must look to our diets to maintain our recommended intake.
In the not so very distant past, if you watch any period films or historical war films, scurvy was something often mentioned that many people would die from. A basic lack of Vitamin C would lead to general malaise, pain, poor wound healing and eventual death from infection or bleeding. In todays world it is associated with malnutrition and rates among refugees are the highest. Amazingly it was in 1753 that a Scottish surgeon in the Royal Navy, James Lind, realized that citrus fruit could treat scurvy.
People seem to pay more attention to Vitamin C in the winter months here in Canada when its “common cold” time, but it is important to have proper levels of this healing vitamin year round.
September’s Vegan Little Life Box offered not 1 but 2 super 125g containers of SISU Ester-C Powder and Octobers Vegan Little Life Box contained a Garden of Life Vitamin C Organic Spray. Already having a Garden of Life B12 Spray and Vitamin D3 Spray in my wellness inventory; I was happy to add this!
If you want to get your Vitamin C strictly from your diet, then the most common fruit and vegetable sources are oranges, tomatoes, red and green peppers, strawberries, grapefruit juice, broccoli and Brussel sprouts. Those are just a popular few.
As with any change in your diet you should look at what works best for you and make sure there are no contraindications in adding something to your diet. For instance, while broccoli is great for Vitamin C, it is also high in Vitamin K. If you are someone taking a blood thinner, this could work against it since Vitamin K is essential for forming blood clots. It is always best to be well informed even if something seems healthy.
If you need a little Vitamin C in your life, Little Life Box is seriously trying to hook you up! But if you are on the run you can always grab a wonderfully Canadian smoothie from Happy Planet with their Extreme C fruit smoothie! And if you are home with your very own blender you can whip up a creation that is perfect for you!
I wish I could say that I have invented the perfect Vitamin C smoothie but my choice would be to share with you the Vitamin C Immune Booster Smoothie from Mountain Mama Cooks. A simple, sweet, healthy treat.