Vitamin C is a beneficial antioxidant that the body cannot make on its own, despite its significance in improving your body’s immunity and strength. A healthy diet and enough vitamin and mineral intake are extra important as you grow older.
Here’s how you can make sure you’re getting enough vitamin C in your diet:
Improves immunity to disease
Everyone knows that as we get older, our immune system gets weaker. The best way to shield your body’s cells from environmental damage caused by free radicals is to ensure you’re getting enough vitamin C in your diet. Vitamin C boosts the formation of white blood cells, which in turn helps the body mount a robust defense against pathogens. Its antioxidant capabilities also improve the efficiency of skin cells and bolster the skin’s natural defenses.
Relieves oxidative stress
Vitamin C’s antioxidant properties preserve white blood cells and shield the body from free radical damage. When vitamin C levels are low, free radicals and other toxic chemicals can damage cells and interfere with their performance, causing oxidative stress.
Signs of oxidative stress include premature wrinkling of the skin and other tissues, atherosclerosis, and other circulatory problems. Antioxidants like vitamin C are essential for aging bodies because they help counteract the damaging effects of oxidative stress on cells, tissues, and DNA.
Boosts cardiovascular health
One of the major causes of death today is cardiovascular disease. However, taking vitamin C can lower your risk of developing this condition. High blood pressure and cholesterol levels are just two of the many warning signs for heart disease.
Consuming sufficient amounts of vitamin C-rich foods has been found to lessen the risk of developing heart disease by as much as 25%. Vitamin C facilitates blood circulation throughout the body by keeping blood vessels flexible and pliable. The result is lower blood pressure that’s easier to control.
Enhances iron absorption
Lack of iron absorption increases the danger of anemia and other health problems, especially among seniors. Older adults often struggle with anemia due to insufficient levels of healthy red blood cells.
Hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in red blood cells, is a protein that can be created with the help of iron. Red blood cell health declines without sufficient iron. Iron deficiency can occur even if a healthy diet provides enough iron for the body to use. An increase in vitamin C intake improves iron absorption in the body.
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