Vitamin C Benefits: Supports Immune System Function, Skin, Heart Health & More

If you think ascorbic acid, commonly known as vitamin C, is just for your immune system, think again!

During the cold winter months, vitamin C is king. Its reputation as one of the best immune system helpers precedes it. The star of the immunity aisle in any health food store, this essential nutrient may offer powerful support for healthy immune function and maintain your body's protection against a variety of issues.

The fact is, vitamin C may play a much bigger role in your overall health and well-being than you may realize. Antioxidant support against damaging free radicals? Check. Fresher, more radiant skin? You bet. Stronger bones and cardiovascular health support? Absolutely. Let’s take a closer look at this important vitamin and all it has to offer.

Your Overall Health

Vitamin C’s ability to reduce symptoms of the common cold has never be proven, yet science still touts this potent nutrient as an important part of your immune support.

“Higher blood levels of vitamin C may be the ideal nutrition marker for overall health," says researcher and scientist Mark Moyad, MD, MPH, of the University of Michigan. "The more we study vitamin C, the better our understanding of how diverse it is in protecting our health."

A powerful antioxidant, vitamin C can help protect your cells from free radical damage. Regular supplementation can increase the antioxidant levels in your bloodstream to support cellular health,

Just as important is the effect of vitamin C on healthy cardiovascular function. Higher levels of vitamin C in the body may help support blood vessel health and relaxation, proper circulation and normal, healthy blood pressure levels already within the normal range. 

Vitamin C and Collagen

Naturally found in both the outer and inner layers of your skin, vitamin C is used by the body to support the production of collagen, the structural “glue” that holds our tissues together. A plentiful protein making up 70% of your skin, collagen is an important building block of your blood vessels, muscles, bones and teeth.

As we age, our body tends to make less and less collagen, which can impact the health of our bones, muscles and skin. Vitamin C supplementation may play a role in the formation of collagen, which in turn helps support cartilage and bone development, healthy muscle function and younger-looking skin. 

Adding a collagen supplement is also beneficial and can help replenish this important protein. Taking vitamin C along with your collagen supplement could give you even better results. Even if you choose not to add collagen to your daily regimen, taking vitamin C could help enhance the look and feel or your skin and maintain the strength of your muscles and bones.

Additional Benefits of Vitamin C

• Vitamin C may help your body absorb and utilize iron, particularly iron from plant-based sources commonly found in vegan or vegetarian diets. 
• Important to nerve impulse transmission, vitamin C’s antioxidant activity may help support clear thinking and cognitive health as we age. 
• Vitamin C’s antioxidant activity may help support eye and macular health.

Because your body doesn’t produce vitamin C, it must be obtained daily from your diet or through supplementation. Fortunately so many common foods contain it that vitamin C deficiency is rare in the U.S. and other developed countries. Excellent sources include citrus fruits, strawberries, cantaloupes, Brussel sprouts and broccoli.

Some High-Quality Vitamin C Supplements from Our Family of Brands 

With hundreds of options to choose from, it’s hard to know what vitamin C to buy. Whatever brand you choose, look for a product that is lab tested to ensure the potency and purity of its ingredients.

Next you'll want to find the delivery system that works best for you. Whether you like your C in powder or liquid form, blended into your favorite juice, love the ease of a tasty chewable, or prefer the simplicity of a capsule or tablet, here are some excellent choices:

Solaray Vitamin C with Rose Hips & Acerola, 1000mg, Timed-Release. Two-stage timed-release capsule provides half the vitamin C immediately and the other half gradually to make it available to the body for a longer period. Value size offers 10% more free. Non-GMO and lab verified. 275 VegCaps.

Thompson Vitamin C Powder 5000mg. High potency powdered formula provides 5000 mg per serving and mixes easily into liquids. Great to use in immune formula recipes like our homemade Immunity Gummies for the whole family. No fillers or excipients, lab verified. 12oz.

Dynamic Health, Vitamin C Liquid, 1000mg. Liquid formula with added rose hips and bioflavonoids goes down easy blended into water or your favorite juice. You'll love the great, natural citrus flavor. Vegetarian, gluten free, BPA free, lab verified. 8oz.

Dynamic Health Liquid Vitamin C for Kids, 333mg. Formulated for children’s more delicate immune systems. With added rose hips, bioflavonoids and acerola. Kids will love the natural citrus taste. Vegetarian, gluten free, BPA free, lab verified. 16 oz.

Zhou Nutrition Vitamin C+ Gummies, 270mg – Designed for rapid release, these tangerine flavored gummies are a tasty way to get your vitamin C, rose hips and bioflavonoids. At 270mg per serving, you can take these throughout the day as needed. Non-GMO, vegan, gluten free, lab verified. 60 gummies.

Solaray Vitamin C, Chewable, Cherry 500mg. Made with natural sweeteners and flavors, these delicious cherry chews provide 500mg per serving in a nourishing whole food base. With added rose hips and acerola, lab verified. 100 chewable tabs.

Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.