ALTERNATIVES
Negative Effects
"Vitamin C is an antioxidant, along with vitamin E, beta-carotene, and many other plant-based nutrients. Antioxidants block some of the damage caused by free radicals, substances that damage DNA. The build-up of free radicals over time may contribute to the aging process and the development of health conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and arthritis.
Signs of vitamin deficiency include dry and splitting hair; gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and bleeding gums; rough, dry, scaly skin; decreased wound-healing rate, easy bruising; nosebleeds; and a decreased ability to ward off infection. A severe form of vitamin C deficiency is known as scurvy.
It's unusual to be extremely poor in vitamin C, although evidence suggests that many people may have small levels of vitamin C. Smoking cigarettes lowers the amount of vitamin C in the body, so smokers are at a higher risk of deficiency.
Low dosages of vitamin C have been associated with a number of conditions, including high blood pressure, gallbladder disease, stroke, some cancers, and atherosclerosis, the build-up plaque in blood vessels that can lead to heart attack and stroke. There is no certain evidence that taking vitamin C supplements will help or prevent any of these conditions." (University of Maryland, 2014)
"Although too much dietary vitamin C is unlikely to be harmful, mega doses of vitamin C supplements may cause:
"Vitamin C is an antioxidant, along with vitamin E, beta-carotene, and many other plant-based nutrients. Antioxidants block some of the damage caused by free radicals, substances that damage DNA. The build-up of free radicals over time may contribute to the aging process and the development of health conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and arthritis.
Signs of vitamin deficiency include dry and splitting hair; gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and bleeding gums; rough, dry, scaly skin; decreased wound-healing rate, easy bruising; nosebleeds; and a decreased ability to ward off infection. A severe form of vitamin C deficiency is known as scurvy.
It's unusual to be extremely poor in vitamin C, although evidence suggests that many people may have small levels of vitamin C. Smoking cigarettes lowers the amount of vitamin C in the body, so smokers are at a higher risk of deficiency.
Low dosages of vitamin C have been associated with a number of conditions, including high blood pressure, gallbladder disease, stroke, some cancers, and atherosclerosis, the build-up plaque in blood vessels that can lead to heart attack and stroke. There is no certain evidence that taking vitamin C supplements will help or prevent any of these conditions." (University of Maryland, 2014)
"Although too much dietary vitamin C is unlikely to be harmful, mega doses of vitamin C supplements may cause:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Heartburn
- Abdominal bloating and cramps
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Kidney stones" (Mayo Clinic, 2014)
"If the immune system is well-built, it will stop diseases and health inflictions. The body requires vitamin C to function properly. If an accurate dosage is not consumed, a person has a high chance of contracting a diversity of diseases because the body is too low to fight off the toxins. In disparity, those who consume mega doses of vitamin C are less likely to contract diseases/illness such as:
-Periodontal
disease
-Bone disorders
-The common cold
First, periodontal disease has been related to low intakes of vitamin C. When there are low levels of vitamin C in the body, the conflict to infectious bacteria is lowered. Periodontal disease ablaze the gums and causes them to bleed. Studies show that a dosage of 500mg (three times more than the RDA) will cause periodontal disease to improve.
Secondly, bone disorders also have a straight connection with vitamin C. Vitamin C effects the body's collagen which vicariously influences the bone structure. In addition to this, vitamin C can actually take part in stopping osteoporosis (bone loss). There are a variety of factors which influence osteoporosis, but studies prove that vitamin C maintains healthy bones. In fact, a diet with a high level of vitamin C can not only stop bone loss, but can even crash the growth of bone cells!
Finally, people, who have the cold/flu, usually have a low level of vitamin C in their white blood cells. Healthy white blood cells are needed for the body’s immune system to wipe out toxins. Supplemental vitamin C is thought to increase the immune system; as a result, boosting the body¹s natural defence mechanisms which help in fighting the flu." (Brett, 2007)
Alternatives
There really aren't any alternatives to vitamin C as it is necessary in the human diet because unlike some animals we cannot synthesize our own and it is necessary to prevent scurvy (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2014). However; you do have two options: you can either eat fruits and vegetables, or you can take vitamin c supplements.
Although, instead of having extra vitamin C to help a cold, you could also:
"-Drink lot's of water
-Have some chicken soup
-Use a humidifier
-Take some antihistamines (allergy medication, 2013)
use some saline nasal drops and sprays
-Take the right amount of dosage
Buy some over-the-counter cold and cough medications at your local pharmacy/drugstore" (MayoClinic, 2014)
And vitamin c isn't the only thing that can help with diseases. Take cancer for example. There are endless different treatments such as "chemotherapy, radiation therapy, transplantation" (National Cancer Institute, Date Unknown)
There really aren't any alternatives to vitamin C as it is necessary in the human diet because unlike some animals we cannot synthesize our own and it is necessary to prevent scurvy (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2014). However; you do have two options: you can either eat fruits and vegetables, or you can take vitamin c supplements.
Although, instead of having extra vitamin C to help a cold, you could also:
"-Drink lot's of water
-Have some chicken soup
-Use a humidifier
-Take some antihistamines (allergy medication, 2013)
use some saline nasal drops and sprays
-Take the right amount of dosage
Buy some over-the-counter cold and cough medications at your local pharmacy/drugstore" (MayoClinic, 2014)
And vitamin c isn't the only thing that can help with diseases. Take cancer for example. There are endless different treatments such as "chemotherapy, radiation therapy, transplantation" (National Cancer Institute, Date Unknown)