Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Functions
- Helps bind body cells together through the production of connective tissues
- Aids normal bone and tooth formation, maintenance and repair
- Aids in healing wounds
- Helps the body utilize iron
- Helps resist infections
Food sources: Citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, green peppers, strawberries, watermelon, cabbage, potatoes, broccoli, Brussels sprouts.
Symptoms of deficiency: Scurvy- degeneration of bones, teeth and gums; anaemia, rough skin, wounds that don’t heal
Symptoms of overdose: Diarrhea, bladder stones, possible B12 deficiency. If large doses are taken during pregnancy the infant may develop scurvy after birth.
NB: they are water soluble vitamins so when you slice your vegetables before washing, you lose some amount of vitamin C and B. also heating with high temperature depletes vitamin content.