When most people think of Vitamin C sources they instantly think: “oranges!”. While oranges and other citrus fruits are, indeed, an excellent source of this very important vitamin, they unfortunately do not grow anywhere close to Vancouver. At Northshore Naturopathic Clinic, we are very big proponents of eating foods that are locally grown and seasonally available.
Luckily, there are locally grown vegetables that pack an even bigger punch of vitamin C than the infamous orange. Broccoli, brussel sprouts, bell peppers and strawberries all have more vitamin C per serving than oranges. And that’s not even a complete list.
The tricky bit about getting your vitamin C is that it is fairly easily degraded by oxygen, heat and storage – that means cooking, canning, and processing all reduces the amount of vitamin C available to you. So the longer your fresh broccoli sits in your fridge; when you overcook your vegetables; the processing involved in pre-packaged foods; and the time in sits on the store self all lessen the vitamin C content of your food.
Ensuring adequate vitamin C intake is essential because it:
- Protects against free radicals (powerful antioxidant)
- Increases the absorbability of iron in the intestines
- Required for collagen production (essential for skin and bones)
- Needed for the production of serotonin (the “happiness” hormone),
- And more…
The recommended daily intake of vitamin C is between 1000-2000mg and those who have toxic exposures (cigarettes, chemicals, pollution), injury, chronic health issues, digestive disturbances, low immunity, or allergies should ensure that they are receiving the upper of that limit. Most supplement with tablets, capsules or powders to ensure they are receiving an adequate dosage. Unfortunately, studies show that absorbing vitamin C in these forms is quite challenging for our bodies. Only a small percentage actually makes it into the bloodstream and then into your cells.
Vitamin C intravenous therapy is one way to bypass the digestive system and ensure vitamin C is being delivered directly to your blood system. Now, there is also Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C!
This supplement, now available for purchase at the clinic is encapsulated in liposomes made from essential phospholipids. In other words, the vitamin C is coated in the same stuff our cells are made of and require so that your body can easily recognize it and absorb it directly into your bloodstream. The other forms travel through the digestive system where it is degraded by gastrointestinal juices.
This is really exciting technology! This product provides 98% absorbability which means the potential for amazing implications for correcting deficiencies, meeting the daily recommended dosage and enhancing your overall health.
*Note: too much vitamin C can cause diarrhea. If this happens to you, reduce intake to a tolerable amount.
