Vitamin C is the body’s premier water-soluble antioxidant. Much of vitamin C’s beneficial effect appears to be related to its role as an antioxidant and its ability to neutralize free radicals.¹Free radicals are naturally occurring molecules that form continuously in the body as a product of normal metabolism. They are highly unstable molecules, which can damage normal tissues by stealing their electrons.

Antioxidants stabilize free radicals, which are molecules that lack electrons, by offering up their own electrons, essentially neutralizing them before they can cause damage.Vitamin C prevents the free radical damage caused by ultraviolet light upon the lens of the eye.²

Vitamin C has many other benefits:

• Necessary to form collagen, an essential connective tissue found throughout the body in ligaments and tendons, blood vessels and in the lining of the joints.
• Important in tissue growth and wound healing.³
• Assists in absorption of calcium and iron and utilization of the B vitamin folic acid
• Detoxifies substances such as nitrites, which are cancer-causing preservatives found in such foods as lunch-meats and hot dogs.
• Supports healthy immune system function.
• Vitamin C is quite safe even in relatively high doses.⁴

The main side effect of high doses of vitamin C is diarrhea, which can be minimized by gradually increasing the dose over a period of time, and dividing the dose throughout the day. Vitamin C may be depleted by aspirin and tobacco smoke exposure.⁵ Since it enhances absorption of iron, individuals with a genetic predisposition towards iron overload should be careful with respect to vitamin C consumption.

Dosage: The RDA for vitamin C is 60 mg, which is the amount necessary to prevent deficiency syndrome known as scurvy, as initially described in sailors. However, growing evidence supports raising the RDA amount.⁶ Doses up to 5000 mg a day for more than three years have been shown to be safe and without side effects. We have set our recommended dose of Vitamin C at 2000 mg., which is the upper limit (UL) from the new Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) value.

Ray & Terry’s Vitamin C 1000mg contains 100 tablets per bottle.

Ray & Terry’s Vitamin C is equally effective when taken with or without food. However, if your digestive system is sensitive, you may want to take your supplements with meals.

1. Tauler P, Aguilo A, Fuentespina E, Tur JA, Pons A.. "Diet supplementation with vitamin E, vitamin C and beta-carotene cocktail enhances basal neutrophil antioxidant enzymes in athletes." Pflugers Arch, Eur Journ Physiology. 2002 Mar;443(5-6):791-7. Epub 2002 Jan 31.
   
2. Exp Eye Res. Mar;84(3):537-43. 2007. "Effects of ascorbic acid on UV light-mediated photoreceptor damage in isolated rat retina." Tokuda K, Zorumski CF, Izumi Y.
   
3. J Cell Biol. March; l2 (3):533-5l. 1962. "Wound healing and collagen formation II: Fine structure in experimental scurvy." Ross R, Benditt EP.
   
4. Levy, M.D., J.D., T. E.. Vitamin C, Infectious Diseases, & Toxins, Phila.: Xlibris Corp., 2002.
   
5. Am J Clin Nutr. 58:886-890. 1993. "Reduced plasma ascorbic acid concentrations in nonsmokers regularly exposed to environmental tobacco smoke." DL Tribble, LJ Giuliano and SP Fortmann.
   
6. Am Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Jun; 69(6):1086-1107. 1999. "Toward a new recommended dietary allowance for vitamin C based on antioxidant and health effects in humans."Anitra C Carr and Balz Frei.