Uses of Vitamin C / Ascorbic Acid

• For the treatment of Vitamin C deficiency.

• To treat scurvy, a disease characterized by weakness, anemia, bleeding gums, and blood spots on skin due to lack of Vitamin C in the body.

• As a supplement to boost the immune system and fight against flu & seasonal allergies.

Precautions and Warnings of Vitamin C / Ascorbic Acid

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if

• You are pregnant, breastfeeding or have any existing medical condition like diabetes, hypertension, kidney or liver problem, be sure to consult your doctor.

• You are on other medications, supplements or following any complementary or integrative health approaches.

• You should not take this supplement if you are allergic to any of the component of this supplement.

• You are going to undergo any surgery or operation, you may be asked to stop taking these products at least 2-3 weeks ahead of the procedure.

• Vitamin supplements are intended to supplement the diet of some people and should not be a substitute for a well-balanced, varied diet and a healthy lifestyle.

What is curcumin?

Curcumin is a yellow pigment found primarily in turmeric, a flowering plant of the ginger family best known as a spice used in curry. It’s a polyphenol with anti-inflammatory properties and the ability to increase the number of antioxidants that the body produces.

Curcumin and the curcuminoids found in turmeric can be extracted to produce supplements that have a much higher potency than turmeric. However, curcumin is absorbed poorly during digestion, so a myriad of different formulations have been created to improve its bioavailability.

What are curcumin’s benefits?

Supplementation of curcumin reliably reduces markers of inflammation and increases the levels of endogenous antioxidants in the body. More research is needed for many areas of health, but what research there is supports a small to moderate improvement in the symptoms of depression and anxiety, and pain and function in osteoarthritis. A reduction in LDL-cholesterol, blood glucose and blood pressure is possible, but the research is less consistent and more is needed.

What are curcumin’s side effects and drawbacks?

Doses of up to 8 grams of curcuminoids aren’t associated with serious adverse effects in humans. However, long-term studies that are more comprehensive in their assessments are needed. High doses of curcumin may produce nausea and gastrointestinal complaints. Use of curcumin with piperine may cause adverse drug reactions, as piperine greatly increases intestinal permeability. The different formulations of curcumin have not all been tested for safety to the same degree.

What is the difference between turmeric and curcumin?

Turmeric is a popular root/spice, and curcumin is a highly potent chemical in turmeric, but hardly the only one. Curcumin and curcuminoids are present in turmeric at around 22.21-40.36mg/g in the rhizomes and 1.94mg/g in the tuberous roots, so turmeric is less potent as a source of curcumin than an extract and anti-inflammatory. However, some studies suggest that turmeric has benefits, and it's possible that it has benefits that curcumin alone doesn't, but more research on this is needed.

Health Benefits

Vitamin D3 offers many health benefits. It is known to help strengthen bones and muscles, boost immunity, increase mood, aid in weight loss, and improve heart function.

Bones

Vitamin D is known to help both the muscles and bones. It enhances the absorption of calcium in the small intestine. If your body doesn't have enough vitamin D to absorb calcium, it'll pull calcium out of your bones. That makes the bones weak and can lead to fractures and osteoporosis.

Research shows that vitamin D can aid in reducing fractures and improve muscle strength. In addition, high levels of dietary vitamin D3 may be suitable for achieving a higher peak bone mass in adulthood and thereby preventing osteoporosis.6

Immunity

Research has shown that vitamin D may help protect against acute respiratory infections and pneumonia.7

During the COVID-19 pandemic, some preliminary evidence surfaced suggesting vitamin D may have a protective role against both infection and illness severity. However, more work needs to be done to say for certain what role—if any—this vitamin plays in the fight against the coronavirus behind the pandemic.8

Mood

Studies have shown that people with clinical depression often have vitamin D deficiencies. However, it's not clear whether the deficiency contributes to depression or depression changes behavior (e.g., diet, time outside) and therefore causes the deficiency.9

As researchers have examine the impact of vitamin D on the brain, they have uncovered possible mechanisms of action that may shine light on how a deficiency could lead to depression. They've also found evidence that raising vitamin D levels helps alleviate symptoms. Larger, well-designed studies still are needed, but thus far the findings are promising for vitamin D as part of a depression treatment regimen.9

Heart Health

Studies have found that individuals with obesity and high blood pressure tend to have lower vitamin D levels. Some research stated that the vitamin can help lower blood pressure. There are some studies that have shown that it lowers the risk of stroke and heart attack.10

Weight Loss

There was a study done where postmenopausal women were given vitamin D3 supplements (compared with a placebo) for a weight loss intervention. The outcome showed that the women who had adequate levels of vitamin D3 lost more body fat, saw a greater reduction in waist circumference, and lost more weight.11

Suggested Doses

Unless you are in an area that has a forecast of sunny skies more often than not, it is difficult to get the suggested dose of vitamin D3 naturally through food and the sun. The Medical and Health Division increased the RDA for vitamin D to 600 IU for people up to age 70 and 800 IU for those over 70.

The safe upper limit of daily intake for most age groups was also raised from 2,000 to 4,000 IU. A blood test will let you know if you need additional vitamin D3.12

Especially if you've been diagnosed with a deficiency or if you're at risk, you may want to track the amount of vitamin D3 you get from both food and supplement sources to ensure you're getting enough.

Vitamin D3 Deficiency

Research shows that over 1 billion people have a vitamin D deficiency. Symptoms and associated conditions include:13

• Muscle weakness and aches
• Weak bones
• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Depression
• Hypertension
• Inflammation
• Arthritis
• Eczema