Vitamin C simply explained: Why is it such a hot topic?
Many people associate the word "inflammation" with something negative and are afraid of it.
Let’s take a look at when inflammation is something to be concerned about and when it should actually be welcomed with open arms.
Our body is incredibly smart and can handle a lot on its own (as long as we don’t make things harder for it!). You’ve probably cut your finger with a knife or caught a cold at some point. At that moment, your body experiences short-term acute inflammation. The immune system sounds the alarm, and specialized cells rush to fight off viruses, bacteria, or simply the dirt that entered your wound. This inflammation is accompanied by swelling, pain, increased temperature, etc.
Now, imagine cutting yourself 20 times a day - your body would get pretty exhausted trying to heal over and over again. The same thing happens to people who regularly smoke, drink alcohol, consume excessive sugar and processed foods, experience chronic stress, don't exercise, or get too little sleep. (Not necessarily all at once—even one of these is enough.) The body simply can’t handle so many major issues every single day (yes, lack of sleep or too much sugar is a real problem!), leading to chronic, long-term inflammation.
Chronic inflammation is linked to serious diseases like high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, digestive disorders, and more. Unlike acute inflammation, chronic inflammation may not have obvious symptoms and can develop silently.
Inflammation is a fundamental defense mechanism that can be beneficial when it's short-term and focused on healing. However, when it becomes chronic, it can turn into the root of many health problems.
There’s one superhero we all know—not from action movies, but from commercials.
He’s often mentioned when it comes to illness.
He’s not a miracle worker, but he sure can do a lot.
Yes, it's Vitamin C!
The key factor that determines how well the body handles long-term inflammation is its vitamin C levels.
Our body can’t produce vitamin C on its own, yet it desperately needs it for numerous processes. Recent studies show that vitamin C deficiency is far more common than previously thought.
How is that possible?
We often hear that vitamin C is found in fresh fruits and vegetables. But let’s be honest - how much truly fresh produce do we eat daily? Is it enough to meet our vitamin C needs? How much fruit would we have to eat to compensate for a deficiency?
(And let’s not even get into the fact that vitamin C is used up just to fight off the chemical pesticides on our produce—let alone the fact that an orange probably spent more time in a refrigerated truck than on a tree.)
A Canadian study found that nearly 50% of people suffer from shocking vitamin C deficiency.
Why is this such a big problem?
Because our body doesn’t give us clear warning signs. Instead, it drops subtle hints, such as: Fatigue and weakness, easy bruising, bleeding gums, dry, rough skin, slow wound healing, joint pain, mood swings. Most people don’t connect these symptoms to vitamin C deficiency - until they suddenly get diagnosed with high blood pressure.
Even if you don’t feel symptoms right away, low vitamin C levels weaken your immune system. The "soldiers" that rush to defend your body become exhausted, inflammation takes over, and everything starts falling apart. Eventually, the "invaders" attack a weak spot—like the intestines—and suddenly, you hear the words Crohn’s disease. (Medical experts, please forgive this simplified version—it helps us regular folks grasp the brilliance and complexity of the human body.)
Let’s not forget our little superheroes
Even children experience stress. Starting school or kindergarten is a huge challenge for their bodies—new environments, pressure, and stress. Many kids have sports practice several times a week, daily homework, and tests, all of which take a physical and mental toll. 9 out of 10 children have a vitamin C deficiency.
No wonder they keep catching colds, coughs, and even strep throat. Help them handle their responsibilities better. Check this video.
What’s the point of this story?
Don’t wait until you start bruising easily or experiencing joint pain - start taking vitamin C daily.
If you don’t know which one to choose, check this out. The word "liposomal" means it’s even more effective. (But we’ll save the story of liposomes for another time.) Oh, and kids can take it too—it’s liquid and delicious.