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Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a water-soluble Vitamin that is essential to human life and is also referred to as ascorbic acid. It can be made [synthesized] inside almost all organisms, except humans.

Chemically it is the L-enantiomer of ascorbate.

Recommendations for daily dose varies from one institution to another. The minimal amount recommended is 40 milligrams [UK] and the most recommended is 100 milligrams per day [Japan]. Recommendations by North American Dietary Reference Intake is not to exceed 2,000 milligrams in a single day.

Vitamin C is needed for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of your body.

–  Forms an important protein used to make skin, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels
–  Heal wounds and form scar tissue
–  Repair and maintain cartilage, bones, and teeth
–  Aid in the absorption of iron

Sources:

–  Plants
–  Fruits
–  Liver
–  Oysters
–  Pork
–  Chicken
–  Milk
–  Strawberries
–  Oranges
–  Grapefruit
–  Lemon
–  Several food products
–  many others

Function

–  Required in many metabolic reactions
–  Essential for healthy diet
–  Antioxidant source
–  Cofactor
–  Coenzyme
–  others

Deficiency

–  Scurvy
–  Liver spots on the skin
–  Spongy gums
–  Bleeding from several mucous membranes
–  Loss of teeth

Toxicity is rather rare