Wellness & Vitamin C

I have wonderful friends. I am introverted by nature and they have really been putting the push on me to come out of hiding and put myself out in the world. My blog has been one of the things I have initiated in response to this encouragement. One friend suggested that I start putting out really ‘juicy’ information about remedies, and what to do about what.

My challenge as a holistic health provider, is that I cannot say that anything works to cure anything. For example, if I am asked what is Vitamin C is for, I can never answer that Vitamin C cures scurvy. Now you may believe that is true, and untold thousands of ‘Limey’ sailors sure believed it was true. From a holistic viewpoint, it isn't even the right question.

The point is, that we are bio-chemical beings. Our bodies begin to lose integrity, resilience and strength when our nutrition becomes scanty. When this lack of nutrition continues for long periods of time and in the extreme, our bodies can not function properly or efficiently. In the past, when sailors lacked fresh food in their diets, they noticed themselves slowly falling apart.

All human beings have what is termed ‘hypoascorbanemia’, which is to say that we are always potentially deficient in ascorbic acid, which is Vitamin C. It is a curious thing that all other mammal’s livers seem to create their own Vitamin C. We stand alone as being the only mammal that requires a dietary source of this nutrient on a constant basis. If you have cold hands and feet, poor circulation, bruise easily, or your gums frequently bleed, your body may benefit from Vitamin C and its Bioflavonoid companions (Vitamin C complex)

Vitamin C is ascorbic acid. Our bodies need to buffer the ascorbic acid to a base pH before it can be utilized effectively. This requirement may draw minerals from our tissues to achieve this. This is why I recommend a buffered or mineral ascorbate source, especially when you increase your Vitamin C intake beyond the usual recommended daily allowance.

In the summer and fall season we are blessed with fresh foods that contain Vitamin C. Vitamin C is very sensitive, and processing and cooking tends to deteriorate it. In the winter, we need to make more of an effort to include Vitamin C rich foods into our diets on a daily basis. This is when most people choose to supplement Vitamin C. This nutrient is most often depleted in our bodies by stress, and lifestyle excesses such as the over-use of tobacco, alcohol and coffee.

Mikhael Adams N.D. has formulated a brilliant buffered Vitamin C Complex using botanical sources of Vitamin C and bioflavonoids. He says that “While the maintenance of good health, the reduced incidence of colds and the profound antioxidant properties of Vitamin C are its most frequently touted benefits; the anti-aging properties are emerging as a very significant additional silver lining.”

To speak of 'wellness' means rather than focusing on disease and its treatment, we look at the restorative and nourishing aspects of food, and lifestyle. Nutrition is for life. I encourage you to make optimal nutrition part of your daily self-care as we move into the cold season.