Immunity Boosters - Vitamin C

Vitamin C tops the list of immune boosters for many reasons. There has been more research about the immune-boosting effects of Vitamin C than perhaps any other nutrient.

Vitamin C supplements are inexpensive to produce, and it’s available naturally in many fruits and vegetables. Also, you can buy a vitamin-C-fortified version of just about anything. Here’s what the research shows about how this mighty vitamin protects your body.

Vitamin C increases the production of infection-fighting white blood cells and antibodies and increases levels of interferon, the antibody that coats cell surfaces, preventing the entry of viruses. Vitamin C reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by raising levels of HDL (good) cholesterol while lowering blood pressure and interfering with the process by which fat is converted to plaque in the arteries. As an added perk, persons whose diets are higher in vitamin C have lower rates of colon, prostate, and breast cancer.

I would recommend at least 1gm (1000mg) of vitamin C as a maintenance dose, however if fighting infection increase this to 2000 to 4000 mg a day. It is very difficult to overdose on vitamin C as it is water soluble therefore any excess is excreted in the urine. If you take vitamin C supplements, it’s best to space them throughout the day rather than take one large dose. Be careful where you buy C as a lot of the cheap supermarket soluble versions contain high levels of aspartame (a neurotoxin).

Jean R Dow B.Sc.(Hons), B.A.(Hons), M.Sc. graduated from the Scottish School of  Herbal Medicine in 2004 and has been practicing in Edinburgh, West Lothianand Glasgow since that time.

Jean works from a vitalistic philosophy and uses herbal medicine in a manner that supports the person’s own innate self healing, self regulating ability.

Jean also works closely with people living with cancer, supporting with herbal medicine and nutrition both during mainstream medical care (chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy) and/or after this has finished.  She has completed advanced nutritional qualifications with the Penny Brohn Cancer Centre in Bristol and also runs nutritional workshops teaching about the positive role of food for both the body and the mind with a particular focus on people living with cancer or chronic degenerative disease. To contact Jean, please call 0131 556 8440.

"I love what I do, Herbal Medicine is my passion and I love working with people."
 ~ Jean R Dow