What is vitamin C?

Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) is abundant in vegetables and fruits. A water-soluble vitamin and powerful antioxidant, it helps the body form and maintain connective tissue, including bones, blood vessels, and skin.

What does vitamin C do?

Vitamin C helps to repair and regenerate tissues, protect against heart disease, aid in the absorption of iron, prevent scurvy, and decrease total and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and triglycerides.

What are the signs of a vitamin C deficiency?

Deficiency symptoms include fatigue, muscle weakness, joint and muscle aches, bleeding gums, and leg rashes.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) the recommended vitamin C daily allowance (RDA) for adults over age 19 is men 90 mg per day, women 75 mg per day, pregnant women 85 mg per day, breastfeeding women 120 mg per day.