vitamin C

So I am sure you all know that Vitamin C is good for you. You have all heard that you should get it daily but do you know why? Do you know how much?

Let's talk.

As with all things, science is now beginning to really understand the importance of vitamin C. It is needed for much more than the prevention of the common cold, although that is an important benefit.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant and boy do we need that in our polluted world today. It will help with the free radicals looming about and get them out.

Vitamin C helps with collagen production which is in all muscles and bones. Collagen is what holds cells together. It is what makes your skin elastic to give you that wrinkle free face. (You're going for that orange now, aren't you?)

Vitamin C boosts the immune system. It will help your cuts heal better and lessen your bruising factor. It helps you fight off the "bugs" around you on a daily basis and is important for gum and eye health. It is also helpful if constipation is a problem. Vitamin C intake will also help with your absorption of iron.

So where do we get this? Of course you know the orange and if you live in AZ right now, you should have no excuse why there isn't some in your house right now. Other than that, you can find it in many different foods like these:

Broccoli with 74 mg per cup
Red Bell Pepper 95 mg per 1/2 cup
Cantaloupe 59 mg per 1 cup
Orange Juice 97 mg per cup

That is just to name a few. It is in almost every orange or bright colored fruit or vegetable with the brightest containing the highest levels. I think it is God's way of saying "Pick me! I am the prettiest!"

While the daily recommended amounts use to lie somewhere around 50 mg per day, a far cry from what we really need, the limits have been raised. It is now being recommended to get upwards of 500 mg per day with a high level up to 2000 mg. If you are getting sick, take the upwards. I always advocate getting it from the real source first but taking a supplement daily is also recommended. You always want to make sure that you get a good quality supplement without all the fillers and sugars. The best form of vitamin C supplement is a buffered form. Vitamin C is water soluble so it comes out in the urine if you have too much. My kids love the New Beginnings chewables. They taste like candy and are cheap. Soon, you will see them at the Enlightened Homemaker Store website. (soon, I promise). I just love them and am guilty at eating them just because I want something sweet in my mouth.

How do you know if you are not getting enough? Some basic signs are swollen gums, wounds that don't heal quickly, easily bruised, bleeding gums, low immune system. Of course, you never want it to get to this point. It is just so easy to get enough vitamin C that we should never have an excuse. Eat your fruit and veggies.

How about that Green Bee box this week? Did you all love it as much as I did? Leave your comment, we want feedback. Green Bee is working on getting more great products like organic eggs, chocolates, bread, specialty boxes and more. I have been talking with the owner on a daily basis and he is working on making this company a great place to belong to . He is adamant about quality and wants to make sure he gets us what we want. He wants as much feedback as possible. So let him have it here.

Go eat and orange and if you were lucky enough to get a Bee Box like me, go snack on that big beautiful red bell pepper in your box. If you would like to add some Vitamin C chewables by New Beginnings to your order, it is $7 per bottle.