Does Vitamin C Help Protect Cells from Free Radicals?

It’s well known that vitamin C is essential for our immune system, but did you also know that it plays a really important role in protecting our cells from breakdown and damage? Vitamin C is one of the most studied and well-known antioxidants in the human diet, with mounds of evidence showing its ability to fight free radicals and reduce oxidative stress in the body.

Understandably, all of this can sound a bit confusing. Let’s go deeper and understand how this powerful vitamin protects us at a cellular level, and why adding a high-quality vitamin C supplement may be one of the best choices for your health.

What Are Free Radicals, Exactly?

Free radicals are unstable molecules produced as a byproduct of normal metabolic processes. But they are also produced when our body comes under other stressors, from things like pollution, toxins and even excessive UV light. These unstable compounds can go on to damage our cells and DNA – a process called oxidative stress. 

Chronic oxidative stress leads to premature aging and contributes to diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative conditions.¹ While oxidative stress is a normal part of life, it becomes a huge problem when free radicals build up faster than our bodies can get rid of them.

How Antioxidants Protect Your Cells

Antioxidants, on the other hand, are compounds that protect our cells. They help stabilize and neutralize free radicals before they can go on to do damage. Our body makes some antioxidants on its own, but many come from the foods we eat.² 

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin and very potent antioxidant. The benefits of vitamin C is that it not only goes after free radicals but it also helps other antioxidants do their jobs better and enhances overall protection.³

Does Vitamin C Fight Free Radicals?

Absolutely. Vitamin C is one of the most powerful antioxidants in the body, and as we’ve seen, vitamin C benefits go far beyond just immune support. Here are the ways vitamin C helps our body combat free radicals: ⁴

• Neutralizing unstable molecules: Vitamin C directly targets these unstable molecules and keeps them from being able to do damage to our cells.
• Supporting other antioxidants: Vitamin C helps other antioxidants restore function after they do their jobs, so they can work longer and stronger.
• Protecting the cardiovascular system: LDL cholesterol, aka our “bad” cholesterol, is very susceptible to oxidation, and this can lead to build up of plaque in the arteries. Vitamin C helps keep LDL from becoming oxidized, which protects the heart and arteries.

Research suggests taking 500mg or more of vitamin C per day may be helpful for reducing oxidative stress, especially for those with high levels of inflammation or at risk for chronic disease.⁴ 

Choosing a highly absorbable vitamin C supplement, like Body Kitchen’s Vitamin C Shield, can help ensure your cells get the targeted support they need.

Best Food Sources of Vitamin C

One of the best and easiest ways to boost vitamin C naturally is by adding lots of colorful fruits and vegetables to your diet. Here are some of the top foods high in vitamin C:

• Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits)
• Bell peppers
• Kiwi
• Strawberries
• Cantaloupe
• Broccoli
• Brussel sprouts
• Tomatoes
• Leafy greens (kale, spinach, chard)

The recommended daily intake is 75 mg per day for women and 90 mg per day for men, though many experts believe higher levels are optimal to get the full range of vitamin C benefits.⁵ 

Getting a good amount of foods high in vitamin C everyday is ideal, but a high-quality supplement can help fill the gaps, especially if your diet is inconsistent. Body Kitchen’s Vitamin C Shield is an excellent option thanks to its liposomal delivery system, which enhances absorption and ensures your cells receive exactly what they need.

Why Antioxidants Matter for Skin Health

Consider this: Your skin is constantly exposed to environmental stressors – UV rays, environmental pollutants, and chemicals from both food and other products. It’s our first line defense against the world, and so it is especially prone to free radical damage.

But as we’ve seen, vitamin C and its band of antioxidant friends are here to help. In addition to protecting against cellular damage that leads to aging, here’s how antioxidants like vitamin C benefits the skin in other ways:⁶

• Stimulates collagen synthesis: Collagen is the protein that helps with skin’s firmness and elasticity. Vitamin C is an essential cofactor for collagen synthesis.
• Evens skin tone: Vitamin C helps the skin produce melanin, which brightens the skin.
• Provides extra protection against the sun: When skin is exposed to sun, vitamin C within our cells is ready to fight the inflammatory response and keep DNA damage to a minimum.

Studies show that taking a vitamin C supplement can work in tandem with topical products to boost your skin’s defenses from within.⁷

Final Thoughts

Vitamin C definitely plays a key role in fighting free radicals, reducing oxidative damage, and protecting both our skin and entire body from the harmful effects these unstable molecules can cause.

The benefits of vitamin C are extensive. From preventing premature ageing and fighting against risk factors for inflammation and chronic disease, antioxidants like vitamin C play key defense for us.

While eating foods high in vitamin C is a good start, many people may benefit from extra supplementation. Consider adding a highly absorbable vitamin C supplement like Body Kitchen’s Vitamin C Shield to your daily routine. 

References:

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8243062/
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31705360/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32455696/
4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7761826/
5. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/
6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28805671/
7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29104718/