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Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, maintains the ligaments, tendons,and other supportive tissue. It is found in fruits and in potatoes.Because it's an antioxidant it helps regulate your blood cells, keepingblood cells from becoming deformed from the toxics in the air, which insome cases can cause cancer.

The best function of vitamin C is the formation of collagen, a proteinsubstance that keeps the cell together. Vitamin C enhances theabsorption of iron. It is needed for buoyant health, vitality andendurance. It keeps your skin clear, with a fresh complexion andhealthy gums and teeth. It is very important for the functions of allglands and organs. This vitamin maintains the bones and properfunctioning of the adrenal and thyroid glands. It promotes healing andprotects against all forms of stress - physical and mental.

So what happens if you don't take enough vitamin c? If you becomedeficiency of vitamin C you will have soft gums, skin haemorrhages,capillary weakness, deterioration in collagen, anaemia, and slowhealing of sores and wounds. You will see yourself aging faster,thyroid insufficiency, and your resistance to all infections will bevery low. Its deficiency enhances the toxic effect of drugs andenvironmental poisons. Mild deficiencies of vitamin C may appear in theform of lassitude, fatigue, anorexia, muscular pain, and greatersusceptibility to infection. Long deficiency may cause scurvy, which isvery dangerous.

Scurvy is a disease that results from insufficient intake of vitamin C.This can leads to formation of livid spots on the skin, soft spongygums and bleeding from mucous membranes. A quote from Enchantedlearning.com, 'Many sailors on long trips got scurvy, which at firstdebilitates and then kills the victim. When the cause of scurvy wasdetermined to be a dietary deficiency, limes and other foods high invitamin C were brought on long sea journeys, putting an end to theproblem of scurvy. Bringing limes aboard is why sailors used to becalled "limeys."

You can find vitamin c in fruits and vegetables. But most food fallshort or loose their source when it is cooked. To get the full benefitsyou will have to eat fresh fruit and vegetables. Taking vitamin csupplements is also another great way, taking a supplement can help youget the require amount you need everyday.