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The human body does not produce vitamin C, so all of this important nutrient's
requirements must be obtained through our diets, which are frequently
deficient in vitamins. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, environmental
pollutants and food-processing techniques can impact the level of vitamin
C in your body. In addition, vitamin C is not stored in the body, so it
must be replaced daily.
Vitamin C benefits many systems in our bodies, particularly the cardiovascular
system. It is integral to the production of collagen molecules that provide
the stability necessary for proper cardiovascular function. Bio-C provides
a balance of high-potency vitamin C formulated with four select forms
of this important antioxidant nutrient plus bioflavonoids to promote absorption.*
Formulated to assure disintegration and dissolution to meet and exceed
all standards, Bio-C does not contain sugar, starch, salt or preservatives.
Research Brief
Vitamin C is widely touted for benefiting the immune system, but it also
offers significant benefits for cardiovascular function.
First, it aids in the production of collagen and elastin, which are the
reinforcement rods of the body. Current clinical evidence suggests that
the lack of adequate amounts of vitamin C over a period of years results
in a breakdown of the collagen and elastin structure of the blood vessel
walls. This breakdown leads to tiny, microscopic cracks or fissures in
the walls. Cholesterol globules, surrounded by sticky lipoprotein (a)
molecules, lodge in these cracks forming a sort of natural "plaster cast"
to prevent blood leakage. This natural repair system eventually overshoots
and the buildup of atherosclerotic deposits results. These fat deposits
in the arteries of the heart can cause heart attacks and strokes.
FAQs
Q: There are so many different types of vitamin C. Which one is
the most easily assimilated and absorbed by the body?
A: A composition of different forms of vitamin C helps optimize
your body's usage of this nutrient. Ascorbic acid and ascorbic salts are
very important along with ascorbyl palmitate, a fat-soluble form of vitamin
C that remains active in the body for about 24 hours and is very well
absorbed. Bio-C contains all of these, along with citrus bioflavonoids,
which work with vitamin C to increase its biological efficacy in your
body.
Q: My multivitamin contains vitamin C. Why do I need to take Bio-C
in addition to a multivitamin?
A: Most multivitamins offer a number of beneficial nutrients.
To provide the variety and quantity of vitamin C offered in Bio-C, a multivitamin
would be too large to swallow easily. Multivitamins are beneficial, but
you can enhance your nutritional program by also including Bio-C.
Q: If I take Bio-C and a multivitamin, will I be consuming too
much vitamin C?
A: No. This important nutrient is water-soluble, so your body
can naturally eliminate excess supplies. Because of its water-soluble
nature, vitamin C must be replaced in your body daily.
Q: In addition to increasing my vitamin C intake through supplements,
what are some food sources from which I can obtain beneficial amounts
of this nutrient?
A: Many fruits - including oranges, cantaloupe, kiwi, blueberries,
strawberries and honeydew melon - are good sources of vitamin C. Red and
green bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower and tomatoes also contain vitamin
C.
References
Liu J.F.; Lee Y.W. Vitamin C supplementation restores the impaired vitamin
E status of guinea pigs fed oxidized frying oil. School of Nutrition and
Health Science, Taipei Medical College, Taipei Taiwan, R.O.C., J. Nutr.,
1998 Jan., 128:1, 116-22
Wen Y.; Cooke T.; Feely J. The effect of pharmacological supplementation
with vitamin C on low-density lipoprotein oxidation. Department of Pharmacology
and Therapeutics, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St. James's Hospital,
Dublin, Ireland, Br. J. Clin. Pharmacol., 1997 July, 44:1, 94-7
Johnston C.S.; Thompson L.L. Vitamin C status of an outpatient population.
Department of Family Resources and Human Development, Arizona State University,
Tempe 85287-2502, USA, J. Am. Coll. Nutr., 1998 Aug., 17:4, 366-70
Gustafsson U.; Wang F.H.; Axelson M.; Kallner A.; Sahlin S.; Einarsson
K. The effect of vitamin C in high doses on plasma and biliary lipid composition
in patients with cholesterol gallstones: prolongation of the nucleation
time. Department of Surgery, Danderyd Hospital, Sweden, Eur. J. Clin.
Invest,May, 27:5, 387-91
Cunningham J.J. The glucose/insulin system and vitamin C: implications
in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Department of Nutrition, University
of Massachusetts, Amherst 01003-1420, USA, Am. Coll. Nutr.,8 April,
17:2, 105-8
Maramag C.; Menon M.; Balaji K.C.; Reddy P.G.; Laxmanan S. Effect of vitamin
C on prostate cancer cells in vitro: effect on cell number, viability
and DNA synthesis. Division of Urologic and Transplantation Surgery, University
of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester 01655, USA, Prostate, 1997 Aug., 32:3, 188-95
Girodon F.; Blache D.; Monget A.L.; Lombart M.; Brunet Lecompte P.; Arnaud
J.; Richard M.J.; Galan P. Effect of a two-year supplementation with low
doses of antioxidant vitamins and/or minerals in elderly subjects on levels
of nutrients and antioxidant defense parameters. Laboratoire de Biochimie
des Lipoproteines, Universite de Bourgogne, Dijon, France J. Am. Coll.
Nutr., 1997 Aug., 16:4, 357-65 50-81-7
Simon JA, Hudes ES, Tice JA. Relation of serum ascorbic acid to mortality
among US adults. J Am Coll Nutr. 2001 Jun;20(#):255-63.
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