Vitamin C Test

Citrus fruits like lemon oranges and even grapes, sweet potatoes, vegetables like broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower and berries are rich sources of vitamin C.

Vitamin C and health benefits

• It is an important antioxidant, meaning it neutralises various free radicals which are produced in the body naturally daily. These free radicals are toxic to cells and promote cell death and aging.
• Vitamin C can help enhance immune defences of the body by promoting the white blood cells in blood. These cells are a natural defense of the body against microbes. It has some proven benefits in treating common colds.
• It promotes absorption of dietary iron in the upper small intestine. Thus helpful in people taking iron supplements.
• Vitamin C has been shown to decrease the risk of stroke in some studies.
• Vitamin C is now under investigation for improving macular degeneration, levels of inflammation in the body and even lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease.
• The vitamin C levels correlate with the level of stress in the body and it is one of the first nutrients to be depleted in smokers and alcoholics. So maintaining normal levels of daily intake of vitamin C is critical.

Vitamin C is sensitive to high heat hence cooking over high temperatures damages the vitamin.

In severe forms it may result in Scurvy, a disease characterised by lack of collagen in connective tissues. Vitamin C promotes production of collagen which is required in many major organ systems of the body. This severe deficiency in the blood vascular system may present as bleeding or swelling in gums of teeth, skin spots or even loss of teeth. It may be associated with delayed wound healing and even hair fall.

Serum Vitamin C levels can be tested by Vitamin c test or High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). You should get yourself tested and supplement yourself if vitamin C deficiency is detected.