6 Surprising Vitamin C Foods!

pexels-photo-1132047

What is Vitamin C?

An important water-soluble vitamin that also doubles as a powerful antioxidant, Vitamin C is crucial to our health. While Vitamin C also plays a role in many aspects of our health (including wound healing, bone formation, and the development of connective tissues in the body), being deficient in Vitamin C can cause havoc on just about everything from immune system function to skin health to energy levels.

Vitamin C Deficiency Symptoms:

While the most well-known Vitamin C deficiency disease is scurvy (with symptoms like bleeding gums, loose teeth and skin rashes), there are several more symptoms that could point out we are lacking in this important vitamin:

-Fatigue

-Poor Immune System

-Anemia

-Depression

-Bleeding Gums

-Weakened Bones

-Dry Skin

-Easy Bruising

-Nail Issues

-Dry/Splitting Hair

 

Vitamin C Benefits:

And these are just the tips of the iceberg!

-Powerful in Antioxidants – Antioxidants play a large role in health. They help fight off free radicals, minimize oxidative stress and damage to your cells. They may also help with multiple chronic conditions, including heart disease and autoimmune disorders. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, helping fight free radicals and protect the body against disease.

-Heart Health – Your heart is one of the most important organs in your body. It works tirelessly to provide your cells with the oxygen and nutrients they need. Getting more Vitamin C foods into your diet may help protect the health of your heart and prevent heart disease.

-Glowing Skin – The antioxidant content in Vitamin C benefits skin health in a variety of different ways. Due to its involvement in the synthesis of collagen, Vitamin C can help slow down skin aging, protect the skin against damage and free radical formation caused by exposure to ultraviolet rays, and may also help prevent dark spots by suppressing melanin production.

-Boosts Immune System – Probably the best known benefit of Vitamin C, and most people’s go to defense during flu season and when colds come along. Studies have shown that getting enough Vitamin C may help reduce symptoms and shorten the duration of respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold.

 

Surprising Vitamin C Foods:

-Star Fruit – As you have probably gathered from it’s name…this fruit is shaped like a star, and it is packed with important nutrients and health benefits. High in Vitamin C, antioxidants and fiber, this is a fruit that you might consider adding to your plate.

-Kakadu Plum – Not very well known, but according to the Australian researchers…the Kakadu plum has the “highest recorded level of natural Vitamin C content of any plant in the world — more than 100 times that of oranges.”

-Acerola Cherry – It is believed that this lesser-known fruit is one of the richest sources of Vitamin C available to us, providing around 50–100 times more than oranges or lemons!

-Red Cabbage – Did you know that red cabbage contains more Vitamin C than ORANGES…our #1 go to when we think of Vitamin C?!

-Broccoli and Kale – We know that green leafy vegetables contain good sources of magnesium, zinc, calcium and other necessary nutrients, but did you know that a serving of these delicious greens contain high amounts of Vitamin C, too?

-Black Currants – Black currant is just bursting with Vitamin C! One cup of raw black currants can provide triple the amount you need for the entire day!

 

Can You Have Too Much?

Just like with everything else, too much of a good thing can be too much of a bad thing. Over indulging on Vitamin C can cause digestive issues, headaches, heartburn and wear down your tooth enamel. So if you find yourself to be deficient in Vitamin C, it’s always wise not to panic and go overboard.

Certain studies have found that taking between 200 and 500 milligrams per day is plenty to experience health benefits and that doses higher than this may not even be absorbed. Some experts recommend taking no more than 2,000 milligrams per day, especially if taking high doses for weeks or months on end.

3 Ways to Beat the Winter Blues

 

The winter blues can take many forms. For those who suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), the changing weather means another cyclical bout of depression. For others, the simple stress of constant family time and forced holiday cheer is enough to bring about a general feeling of blah. Either way, there are a few things you can do to fight against the blues and perk yourself up this season!

 

Keep a regular routine

As humans, we are total creatures of habit. Routines make us feel safe and in control–they let us function at our best! The bubble of holiday parties and family engagements that crowd November and December are wholly disrupting to this regularity and can, for lack of a better term, bum you out. So, do your best to keep a regular schedule! Don’t be afraid to decline party invitations or forego a Christmas festival. It might get you some flack, but in the end your mental health is the most important thing.

 

Eat healthy and drink water

This piece of advice seems to show up on nearly every post I make, huh? It’s pretty simple: when your body is supplied with the proper fuel it runs better and you in turn feel better. Don’t eat the Christmas ham if you know it will make you feel lethargic. Pass on the eggnog if dairy doesn’t agree with you. Stock up on fresh organic fruits and veggies and drink water all day!

 

Get more Vitamin D

Many doctors feel that they have narrowed down the cause of seasonal depression to lack of sunlight. In the winter, it’s cold and dreary most of the time. It is easier for us to stay cozy indoors than to brave the elements, which means you aren’t exposed to direct sunlight as often. However, vitamin D is so so important and the best way for you to get it is by getting outside.  Unfortunately this isn’t always possible when the weather turns bad. If you find yourself in this position, consider trying out some vitamin D drops to supplement your body!

 

 

If your depression is not cyclical and you’d like to figure out a way to holistically support your mental well-being, get in touch with me. Many of the causes of depression are linked to physical ailments. Let’s help your body heal itself.