Vitamin C

Vitamin C

Sources:

Fruit& vegetables (blackcurrants, new potatoes, citrus fruit, green peppars, brussel sprouts, strawberries...) 5 a-day

Functions:

• It is required for the synthesis of proline ans lysine which are both needed for normal collagen formation. Collagen is the protein in connective tissue needed to heal damaged skin
• It is an importamt anti-oxidant vitamin
• Required for the metabolism of the amino acids tyrosine
• It plays a major role in the absorption of non-haem iron from the gut
• It may be important in the building up resistance to infection
• It inhibits nitrosamine formation in the stomach. This prevents nitrates from turining into carcinogens

Recommeneded Intake:

90 milligrams for men

75 milligrams for women

Women need an extra 10 milligrams during pregancy

                                120milligrams during lactation

Deficiency:

Scurvy- weakness, bleeding gums, slow wound healing, joint pains. Very rare

A mild form of scurvy can occur if the body is under stress since supplies…