Life’s filled with so many uncertainties. Like, how much can Vitamin C really protect you? It’s tempting to want to take control over everything – but that’s just not possible. But when it comes to your health, and the health of your loved ones, there are actions you can take to protect yourself.

We’re all exposed to countless germs, bacteria, viruses, and microbes daily. So how can you better protect yourself and stay healthy? And how do you know if what you’re doing is actually working? 

Vitamin C has long been known for giving your immune system a boost. But exactly how does it do that?

Vitamin C certainly isn’t a miracle or cure-all, but it does have some impressive effects that may give us an edge when it comes to fighting off the bugs and germs we come in contact with on a daily basis.

So let’s dive into exactly how Vitamin C exerts its immune-boosting effects and how it can help protect you and your loved ones – no matter what your day holds.

What Is Vitamin C?

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that is naturally found in many foods. Since the human body can’t make its own Vitamin C, it’s considered an essential vitamin – meaning you must consume vitamin C for your body to function properly.

Vitamin C is considered “essential” because it plays an integral role in numerous functions throughout the body such as:²

• The biosynthesis of collagen and L-carnitine
• Protein metabolism
• The synthesis of neurotransmitters in the brain
• Wound healing

But one of Vitamin C’s most important functions is its role in immune function and as a physiological antioxidant.

How Vitamin C Influences Immune Function

Vitamin C has been found to have an impressive effect on immune function. Vitamin C significantly impacts immune function by:³

• Enhancing the production of antibodies – which are the proteins in your blood that help neutralize pathogens
• Improving the function of macrophages and other phagocytic cells (the cells that engulf and absorb harmful microorganisms so they can be removed by the body)
• Increasing the production of interferons – which are signaling proteins that your immune system depends on for communication
• Promoting the proliferation of both T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes – two of the body’s main types of immune cells
• Inducing and enhancing the activity of natural killer cells – another crucial type of immune cell

Vitamin C also acts as an antioxidant – both directly and indirectly through restoring the antioxidant properties of other antioxidants.⁴ As an antioxidant, Vitamin C combats the oxidative stress and subsequent injury that can be caused by infection.

How Powerful Is Vitamin C in Fighting Infections?

Vitamin C’s powerful impact on the body’s ability to ward off infection is not new knowledge.

Numerous studies have found that the majority of patients with both acute and chronic diseases have something in common – a deficiency in Vitamin C.⁵ And high dose IV Vitamin C has been effectively used to:⁵

• Prevent and improve respiratory infections such as pneumonia
• Improve patient outcomes and shorten mechanical ventilation in patients with pneumonia, sepsis, and acute respiratory distress
• Prevent sepsis-related organ failure
• Reduce mortality rates by up to 35% in patients with sepsis and acute respiratory distress

Because of its impressive track record in improving outcomes of patients with numerous diseases. But Vitamin C’s impressive benefits don’t end there. If you’re looking to protect yourself and your loved ones increasing your Vitamin C levels is one of the best ways to ensure your immune system is firing on all cylinders.

How Can I Use Vitamin C in the Prevention of Illness?

You don’t have to wait until you’re sick to start using Vitamin C to protect yourself.

One of the most powerful ways to protect yourself against germs is to ensure your immune system is in tip-top shape. Taking a daily dose of highly bioavailable vitamin C essentially floods your body with this powerful antioxidant – enhancing and balancing your body’s natural immune response.

Vitamin C’s ability to help ward off infections isn’t just speculation either. Studies have found that megadoses of oral Vitamin C can relieve and prevent cold or flu symptoms by up to 85%.⁶ So if you want to tap into Vitamin C’s immune-boosting benefits, I recommend taking 1,000 mg of Vitamin C 3 times daily.

But you want to ensure the Vitamin C you’re taking is highly bioavailable – meaning it’s more readily absorbed and utilized by your body. I suggest Buffered C Powder which is available through my online store – you can even get 10% off your first order.

I also highly recommend pairing Vitamin C with a few other immune-boosting supplements to really supercharge your immune system and bolster your body’s defenses. You can read more about additional supplements I recommend in this article on my favorite Immune-Boosting Supplements. 

Vitamin C – A Strong Defense Against Illness

Vitamin C has incredible effects on the immune system.

When it comes to defending yourself against infectious diseases and protecting your health, you are your own best advocate, and being proactive is your best defense.

Now it’s time to hear from you. Were you surprised to learn about the immune-boosting power of Vitamin C? How are you supporting your immune system to stay healthy?

References

1. http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v16n11.shtm
2. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/
3. https://isom.ca/article/the-levels-of-ascorbic-acid-in-blood-and-mononuclear-blood-cells-after-oral-liposome-encapsulated-and-oral-non-encapsulated-vitamin-c-supplementation-taken-without-and-with-iv-hydrocortisone/
4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S8755966886800217
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7172861/
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=the+effectiveness+of+vitamin+c+in+preventing+and+relieving+the+symptoms+of+1999+gorton