Vitamin C plays a role in the formation of hormones, collagen, carnitine and amino acids.  It improves the absorption of iron, especially when iron is from vegetable sources. To maximise iron absorption, consume raw fruit/veges at every meal.

Vitamin C is essential for bones, being required for the formation of collagen as well as cells that both build and remodel bone. Research suggests vitamin C may also stimulate bone building and increased vitamin C levels has been associated with greater bone density.

Essentially made from the same materials, it’s no surpise that both skin and blood vessels require vitamin C.  Easy bruising, bleeding, anaemia and slow healing are symptoms of vitamin C deficiency. All are warning signs of scurvy.

Well known for it’s role in supporting immune function, vitamin C concentrates in white blood cells that are crucial for your first defense system against invading bacteria and viruses. Extra vitamin C may help when you’re unwell.

Antioxidants protect cells against damage by free radicals (by-products of normal cell activity). Excessive free radical activity can cause damage over a person’s lifetime.

Vitamin C is found in varying amounts in most foods. But it is easily destroyed by cooking. Raw fruit and vegetables are essential dietary sources of vitamin C.

While vitamin C is needed to make stress hormones, one study found that high doses of vitamin C reduced the levels of stress hormones in the blood and also reduced other typical indicators of physical and emotional stress.

Sometimes referred to as nature’s antihistamine, people with allergies may need more vitamin C than others. One study showed that asthmatics needed less steroid inhalers when supplementing with extra vitamin C.