I love to look at bright colors in the wintertime. The color of oranges, lemons and bright tangerines can get you moving in the morning, especially if you eat some of that sweetness.

The Season for Illness

Fending off those colds in the winter is a chore!

I believe in increasing the amount of Vitamin C in your diet naturally, but if you do not get enough, you may need to supplement this water soluble vitamin.

Vitamin C is easy to get into your body. Start with some fresh oranges from Florida. This sunshine state grows oranges all year.

Citrus fruit is packed with Vitamin C. But it is not the only source.  Some other good sources:

cantaloupe, kiwi, cranberry juice, mango, papaya, strawberries, tomato, broccoli, watermelon, cauliflower, cook collards, baked potato and raw spinach.

Recommendations: RDA for Vitamin C

Male adult 90mg/day

Female adult 75mg/day

Vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid. It is a water soluble vitamin that aids in wound healing and iron absorption. It helps maintain bones, blood vessels and your teeth.

Vitamin C forms collagen and plays an important role in the production of hormones and the amino acid carnitine.

Vitamin C has antioxidant qualities. This means it protects against damage that is caused by free radicals. Vitamin C has also been shown to improve the immune function and reduce the risk of heart disease by preventing the oxidation of low density lipoprotein – or the bad cholesterol.

Vitamin C affects heart health by preventing blood vessels from constricting and then cutting off blood supply to the heart.

Taken in part from: Ternus, M. and Broihier, K. ( 2007). Vitamins: Boost your Energy and Enhance Your Body. Avon MA. Adams