Vitamin C – otherwise known as Ascorbic Acid is an essential nutrient for human beings. A lack of vitamin C can cause a deficiency disease called scurvy, which is characterized by pale skin, sunken eyes, tender gums, muscle pain, loss of teeth, and internal bleeding.

Vitamin C is water soluble and is not stored by the body. Consequently we need to have a daily dose to ensure that we are not deficient. Vitamin C is found in fresh fruit and vegetables and in particular, peppers, watercress, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, strawberries, lemons, kiwi fruit, oranges, grapefruit, limes and tomatoes.

Vitamin C has many uses within the human body including:-

• It is an antioxidant
• It strengthens the immune system and fights infection
• It lessens oxidative stress
• It is required for 8 different enzymes
• It is required for the integrity of the artery walls
• It enhances the absorption of iron

Most animals and plants have the ability to synthesize their own vitamin C by utilizing 4 enzymes to convert glucose to vitamin C. Humans do not have the ability to do this and instead they rely on a daily intake of vitamin C from their food sources. It is also possible to ensure that adequate vitamin C is absorbed on a daily basis by taking a supplement. This can be taken in the form of ascorbic acid, but as this can be mildly acidic it is often preferable to take it in the form of calcium or magnesium ascorbate. A therapeutic dose for an adult can be anything from 1000mg to 10,000mg. This may cause diarrhea if taken in excess of the bodies needs, but this soon subsides as the dose is reduced.

Because vitamin C is water soluble it is very easily lost from food when it dissolves into the cooking water. Vitamin C is leached from some foods more than others, but one way of ensuring you get the best from your fruit and vegetables is to eat it raw, preferably juiced to release the enzymes.

Over the years there has been much speculation about the therapeutic effects of Vitamin C ranging from curing the common cold to curing diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Although we can be sure that Vitamin C prevents scurvy the other claims on its efficacy are inconclusive and rely on anecdotal evidence. Many people find Vitamin C is helpful for a range of conditions and its ability to enhance the immune system would appear to be a likely fact. Despite the efforts of the renowned scientists such as Linus Pauling two times Nobel Prize winner, who wrote the book called “Vitamin C and the Common Cold” there will always be skepticism on behalf of the medical profession who seem reluctant to accept the validity of most natural remedies.

Janet L. Matthews
Skype ID: lindajanetmatthews

The human body is reliant on a certain level of nutrients for optimal health. Vitamins, minerals and other trace elements in the right proportions can help to keep disease at bay and ensure that the body is functioning optimally.

Ideally we should be able to get all the vitamins and minerals our bodies need from the food we eat, unfortunately this is not always possible. In this modern day and age not only do we consume processed foods that are devoid of any natural nutrients, but even our fresh food is grown or reared on soil that is mineral deficient.

So why is it so important to ensure we have our optimal intake of vitamins and minerals? Each of these nutrients has a specific role to play in the body.

• Vitamin A is needed for eye health and skin health. It is an antioxidant vitamin that is used for protein synthesis and is also important for the healthy function of lung tissue.
• Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) is needed for the production of HCl (hydrochloric Acid) blood formation, and carbohydrate metabolism. It is also needed fore normal muscle tone of the intestines, stomach and heart.
• Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) is needed for red blood cell formation, antibody production, cell respiration and growth and it facilitates O2 (oxygen) use in the body
• Vitamin B3 (Niacin) is needed for the correct function of the nervous system, the metabolism of carbohydrates and the production of HCl. It is also needed for the synthesis of sex hormones.
• Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is involved in almost all body systems and organ functions, including activating many enzymes. It aids B12 absorption, immune function and antibody production and also helps to regulate oestrogen and inhibits homocysteine
• Vitamin B12 aids in cell formation and cellular longevity. It prevents anaemia, aids digestion and absorption of food. It is essential for a healthy nervous system and also maintains fertility and promotes normal growth and development
• Vitamin C is an antioxidant. Its primary role is the formation of collagen. It is also important for growth and repair of body tissue cells, gums, blood vessels, bones and teeth. It aids in the absorption of iron and helps reduce LDL’s ( bad cholesterol) It is also a natural anti inflammatory and anti histamine.
• Vitamin D also known as the sunshine vitamin protects bones and preserves muscle tone. It is essential for calcium and phosphorus metabolism and regulates cell growth, immunity and energy metabolism
• Vitamin E is fat a soluble antioxidant with particular affinity to the cardiovascular system. It is involved in helping maintain normal cholesterol levels, the integrity of the cell wall, the health of capillary walls, the integrity of red blood cells as well as controlling the clotting of blood. It is also responsible for healthy skin and a healthy reproductive system.

So as you can see vitamins are essential for our health and well being and it is vital that we get an optimal amount of each of these vitamins on a daily basis

Janet L. Matthews
Skype ID: lindajanetmatthews

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is a member of the vitamin B complex group, all of which are vital for mental health. Deficiency in any of the 8 B vitamins will very quickly affect the way you feel and think. These B vitamins are water soluble and rapidly pass out of the body and so we need to replenish them on a daily basis. The B vitamin group tend to work synergistically so it is advisable to take them in a complex. If you feel you need an extra amount of any of the B vitamin group then make sure you take it in conjunction with a B Complex formula.


Vitamin B 12 is one such vitamin that is often supplemented alongside a B complex supplement. Vitamin B12’s primary functions include the formation of red blood cells and the maintenance of a healthy nervous system. It is also necessary for the synthesis of DNA during cell division.

Vitamin B12 is found primarily in meat, eggs and diary products. It has been suggested that B12 is also found in fermented soy and seaweed products, however, although this may be the case, it is unclear as to how available this plant source is to the human body. Those on a vegetarian diet may well find that their diets are deficient in this essential vitamin and may need to consider supplementation,

Vegans need to make sure that the foods in their diet are fortified with vitamin B12. For example foods such as marmite, or other yeast extracts, breakfast cereals and textured vegetable protein are fortified with vitamin B12

If you are experiencing lack of energy, exhaustion, irritability, forgetfulness or brain fog, you could be suffering from Vitamin B12 deficiency. This deficiency may be caused by a lack of B12 in your diet, however it could be caused by stress, which increases our demand for B12. In addition our ability to absorb B vitamins in general declines after the age of 40, so supplementation may be advisable once you have reached this age.

Occasionally B12 deficiency can be caused by digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, colitis or gastric reflux, all of which inhibit the body’s ability to absorb vitamin B12 from the foods they eat.

Janet L. Matthews
Skype ID: lindajanetmatthews