Vitamin C might be one of the most researched antioxidants around: everyone from the NIH to Linus Pauling and Dr. Levy have or are touting its influence in longevity, cancer and heart disease.
Acting as an antioxidant, Vitamin C can slow the progression of hardening of the arteries. Vitamin C acts on cell membrane fluidity (keeping arteries flexible), and helps in tissue repair. Vitamin C may help prevent oxidative damage to LDL (“bad”) cholesterol which, if damaged, can form a plaque in the arteries, putting both men and women at risk for cardiovascular disease.
It is also interesting to note people who have low levels of vitamin C may be more likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or peripheral artery disease. Each one of those, alone or in combination, has as a primary causative factor a hardening of the arteries.
Peripheral artery disease, in particular, has gotten a great deal of media attention lately, occurring in both men and women with sedentary lifestyles. PAD is the term used to describe atherosclerosis of the blood vessels unique to the lower extremities, or legs. While there is no substitute for healthy physical activity and diet, patients that describe pain when walking, exertion fatigue and general joint discomfort may benefit from additional Vitamin C intake.
Vitamin C rich foods include: citrus fruits such as oranges, tomatoes, apples and guava, and vegetables such as Brussels sprouts and red peppers to name a few. A healthy diet ensures that you also get the benefit of other antioxidants and nutrients contained in food, and supplementation ensures sufficient intake to assist balancing both the endogenous and exogenous sources of free radical damage.
Paul Carlotta is the leading expert in Market America and Nutraceuticals. To learn more, visit http://www.isotonicvitamins.com today.
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