An orange a day keeps the doctor away

Vitamin C, aka Ascorbic Acid, is a vitamin that we can’t synthesize, so that makes it essential that you get it from your diet.  But did you know that dogs can synthesize it?  All the more reason to makeout with that cute mutt of yours! At least that’s what I tell myself about Daisy.  (Isn’t she so cute?  She’s available for hire as well!)  Uh hum, anyhow, where were we, ah yes, well since we can’t synthesize it just how can we get it into our diets and just why is it so good for us?

Let’s talk about FREE RADICALS first.  Free radicals are atoms or molecules that have an unpaired electron.  This makes the molecules highly reactive, meaning it will steal electrons from other atoms to keep quenching itself.  But then the other atoms become reactive which then starts to become a chain reaction.  These reactive species are formed on exposure to substances such as smog, chemicals, drugs, radiation, and during our normal physiological processes, especially in the defense against foreign substances.  Overproduction of these species is thought to contribute to aging and the development of several disease including cancer, heart disease, and cataracts to name just a few.  Throughout this chain reaction, about 6 radicals are formed.  This is where vitamin C comes in, it quenches all those radicals.  Remember, free radicals have an unpaired electron and vitamin C loves to donate its electrons.  That makes Vitamin C an ANTIOXIDANT.  Yes, that’s what antioxidants do, they quench the free radicals in your body.  They are givers, not takers!  (On a personal note, my new nickname for my brother-in-law, David Earl, is Mr. Antioxidant!  He always gives and never asks for anything in return.  He is a great example!  Haha.  Maybe I’ll just call him Mr. C!  Hahahaha.  Hey, I’ll use any analogy to help me remember important stuff.)

The recommended dose is 75mg/ day for women, 90mg/day for men.  Getting the vitamin C from food is better absorbed than from a supplement.   Also, if you do like orange juice, please juice the oranges yourself or find the juice without sugar added.

Cheers to Vitamin C and Eating to Nourish~

Julie