Ayurveda & Importance of Vitamin C

Ayurveda & Importance of Vitamin C

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You may have or you may know someone who takes vitamins C through supplements every day as a health building addition. 

Increasing your Vitamin C is really an effective way to boost our immune system from factors that will imbalance our doshas. The problem is by using supplements to get it can leave side effects to our bodies, in higher doses of vitamin C (greater than 2,000 milligrams per day for adults) may cause kidney stones, nausea, and diarrhea. Tablets are really useful but the natural food way is always best.

However, most people just don’t know where to get it or maybe because it’s easier and shorter that’s why they stick to supplements. Ayurveda methods may not be as easy but it has been proven for thousands of years as a way to live longer.

In this article, we will understand the importance of vitamin C, where should we get it in Ayurveda way, and what Ayurveda says about it.

What is Vitamin C?

Vitamin C, also known as “ascorbic acid,” is a water-soluble nutrient which is found in many different foods. It is a powerful antioxidant, protecting your body from the damage of free radicals.

This Vitamin is what we may call the King of Vitamins because of its benefits. Aside from boosting the immune system, vitamin C’s benefits are:

Cures Lead Toxicity

Lead toxicity is a severe health problem found mostly in children, especially in urban areas. Abnormal development and growth have been found in some children who are exposed to lead. They develop behavioral problems, learning disabilities, and also tend to have a low IQ. It may damage the kidneys and increase blood pressure in adults. Vitamin C supplements can reduce the blood lead level.

Cures Cataracts (Eye Disorder)

Cataracts are the most common conditions of visual problems. A decrease in the level of vitamin C in the lens of the human eye has been found more common when cataracts are present. An increase of ascorbic acid increases the blood supply to the ocular areas of the body.

Treats Cancer

Researchers have found that high consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits have a link to a minimised risk for various types of cancer. Studies have also shown that increased consumption of vitamin C is connected with a decreased possibility of cancer of the lungs, mouth, throat, colon, rectum, stomach, and esophagus.

Combats Stroke

Vitamin C helps in reducing the risk of stroke, a type of cardiovascular disease. A diet full of vegetables and fruits supplies a good quantity of this vitamin, which maintains an appropriate blood pressure level. It also protects the body from free radicals which could be the reason for the stroke.

Improves your Mood

Vitamin C plays a key role in the production of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine. They affect the mood of a person and are critical to the proper functioning of the brain.

Boosts Immunity

Immunity is another important benefit of this vitamin. Vitamin C is widely known for its contribution to the immune system and its stimulation of white blood vessels in the body.

Repairs Wounds

Vitamin C helps repair wounds. It facilitates the growth of the connective tissues, which speeds up the process of healing wounds.

 Helps to Control Asthma

Ascorbic acid helps reduce the symptoms of asthma. It helps to protect against the harmful effects of pollution in the human body, which often results in asthma-like symptoms.

Effective in Diabetes

One of the chief reasons for diabetes, as found by various studies, is low levels of ascorbic acid. Supplements of vitamin C are beneficial as a cure for diabetes, as they help in the processing of insulin and glucose.

Prevents Heart Diseases

An adequate amount of ascorbic acid is essential for the protection of blood vessels from the damage that free radicals can cause them. This could be a major cause of a heart disease called atherosclerosis. Vitamin C acts as a preventative agent against this heart disease, as well as various other cardiac problems.

 Now, where should we get this vitamin rather than supplements ‘cause we don’t want a part of us to suffer? We want all of us to be balanced.

Ayurveda Recommendations for Vit C Sources

The important sources of vitamin C 

Citrus fruits such as oranges and grapes.

Strawberries, raspberries

Cabbages, cauliflowers, other leafy vegetables

Red peppers, broccoli, chilies

Watercresses, parsley, brussels sprouts

Cantaloupes, mange touts, and kiwi fruits are also rich sources of this vitamin.

Cooking food at low temperatures and for a shorter period is important to keep the vitamin C preserved and beneficial. Of course, eat as much as you can raw and chew the food well, this helps to break down the absorbent acids to enter the bloodstream

Vitamin C can also be found on herbs like Acerola, Amla, Rosehips, and Orange Peel.

Vitamin C is one of the vitamins that are important in keeping our doshas in balance. But always ensure that you will get it in a natural or organic way.

Linda Bretherton
Ayurveda Master Trainer

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