Vitamin C and flavonoids

Vitamin C and flavonoids are often associated with each other. This is because flavonoids which refer to some 4,000 antioxidant compounds that is the cause for the color and a number of health benefits of fruits, vegetables and herbs helps in the absorption of vitamin C in the body. In short, flavonoids make vitamin C even more effective. Essential flavonoids include quercetin, rutin, genistin, grape seed extract and naringen.

It is also more practical to use the combination supplement since you won’t have to buy many pills. And the combination of vitamin C and flavonoids have cured numerous ailments such as sprains and strains to cancer prevention.

The benefits that you can derive from vitamin C and flavonoids are varied. Vitamin C helps in the following:

- Vitamin C is vital for the synthesis of collagen in connective tissue, neurotransmitters, steroid hormones, carnitine, conversion of cholesterol to bile acids and increases iron availability. It is also an antioxidant and protect the body against pollutants.

- Vitamin C is a biological reducing agent that aids in preventing degenerative diseases such as cancers, cataracts and cardiovascular diseases.

- It also supports healthy cell development, proper calcium absorption, normal tissue growth and repair, aids in prevention of blood clot and bruising and strengthens capillary walls.

- Vitamin C is important for healthy gums, protects against infection and clear up infections, improve immune system, decrease cholesterol levels and high blood pressure and prevents arteriosclerosis.

Flavonoids on the other hand have the following health-promoting benefits:

- Flavonoids increases the action of vitamin C. That is why taking vitamin C and flavonoids together are highly recommended.

- It is effective as pain reliever, lessens the symptoms of : prolonged bleeding, low serum calcium and oral herpes.

- It is vital in preserving structures of capillaries, have antibacterial effect and supports circulation. It aids in the production of bile, reducing blood cholesterol levels and in preventing and treating cataracts.

- It increases the absorption of vitamin C.

- Vitamin C and flavonoids help maintain the thin walls of capillaries to prevent bleeding and bruising.

- Flavonoids are associated with antibacterial effect, promotes circulation and fights allergies and others.

When either vitamin C or flavonoids nutrient are used in high dosage, caution must be exercised. In using vitamin C and flavonoids as treatment, refer to the following recommended dosages:

To treat ADHD, take 1,000 mg of vitamin C and flavonoids of 500 mg every morning.

To treat acute bronchitis, take 1,000 mg vitamin C and flavonoids of 500 mg twice daily.

To treat chronic bronchitis, take 1,000 mg vitamin C and flavonoids of 500 mg once a day.

To prevent cancer, take 1,000 mg vitamin C and flavonoids of 500 mg twice daily.

To treat canker sores, take 500-1,000 mg of vitamin C and flavonoids of 25-500 mg three times daily.

To treat cold sores, take 1,000 mg vitamin C and flavonoids of 500 mg three times daily.

To treat earache, take 1,000 mg vitamin C and flavonoids of 500 mg three times daily until infection clears.

To treat gum disease, take 1,000 mg vitamin C and flavonoids of 500 mg once a day.

To treat hemorrhoids, take 750-1,000 mg vitamin C and flavonoids of 250-500 mg three times daily.

To treat impotence, take 1,000 mg vitamin C and flavonoids of 500 mg once a day.

To treat rosacea, take 1,000 mg vitamin C and flavonoids of 500-650 mg twice daily.

To treat shingles, take 1,000 mg vitamin C and flavonoids of 500 mg three times daily if acute.

To treat sinusitis, take 1,000 mg vitamin C and flavonoids of 500 mg three times daily.

To treat strains and sprains, take 1,000 mg vitamin C and flavonoids of 500 mg three times daily.

To treat varicose veins, take 1,000 mg vitamin C and flavonoids of 500 mg twice daily.

Selenium

Selenium can be found in certain foods. It is distributed to nearly every cell particularly in the kidneys, liver, pancreas, spleen and testes. The most potent source for selenium is the Brazil nut. A single nut contains 120 mcg which is twice the recommended dietary allowance. It could also be found in poultry, meat, grains, oats and brown rice. The concentration of selenium in food sources depends to a large extent on the level of selenium in the soil in which the plant grew and which the animal ate. The past two decades showed steady progress in the study of selenium. Scientist began to understand its most basic function which is to prevent disease.

Selenium boosts the immune system and combats infection. Consequently, it increases the body’s defense against harmful bacteria, viruses and cancer cells. Every cell in the body needs a hormone from the thyroid gland that selenium helps to convert into its active form. It is most popular for being an antioxidant. Aside from these perceived effects, it is also known to manifest the following health benefits:

- It prevents cancer. According to a study conducted on selenium it was found out that selenium prevents the formation of tumors.

- It protect against heart attack and stroke.

- It guard against cataracts and macular degeneration. It does this seeming miracle by providing antioxidant actions that combats free radicals.

- It heals cold sores and shingles due to its immune-system booster properties.

- It combats inflammation that is associated with lupus. You can further increase this capacity by combining selenium with vitamin E. Selenium/vitamin E combination also helps other types of inflammatory diseases too such as psoriases, eczema and rheumatoid. Those afflicted with lupus can benefit from it anti-inflammatory properties.

The recommended dietary allowance for selenium is 55 mcg for women and 70 mcg for men. One can readily obtain selenium through their diet and it seldom happen that deficiency occurs in industrialized countries.

For those that lack sufficient selenium, the following symptoms may manifest: muscle weakness and fatigue. If the problem continues it might result to risk for cancer, immune-system problems, heart disease and various inflammatory conditions. For those that have too much selenium in their body could cause toxic reactions. Other symptoms of overdose include: depression, anxiety and garlicky odor from breath and perspiration.

To prevent the effects of aging and protect against cancer, take 400 mcg daily.

-To prevent cataracts and macular degeneration, take 200 to 400 mcg daily.

-To treat cold sores and shingles, take 600 mcg daily during flare-ups only.

-Check also product labels for the recommended dosage.

To get the most effect out of selenium, take it together with 400 IU vitamin E per day. To get the antioxidant benefits of selenium take a high potency antioxidant blend of selenium, vitamins C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, grape seed and green tea extracts, alpha-lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10 and N-acetylsysteine (NAC). There are no known drugs or nutrient interactions connected with selenium. Do not take high dosages – 900 mcg one time or 600 mcg daily for a long period- to prevent toxic build up in your system.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant which was discovered about 80 years ago. Rich sources of vitamin E include the following: wheat germ, almonds, peanuts, vegetable oils (such as safflower, corn, soybeans), green leafy vegetables and walnuts and many others. You can also take vitamin E supplements of 400 IU per day.

Vitamin E is stored in the body’s fatty tissues where it will release its antioxidant powers and protect the cells by deactivating free radials. It also aids in the formation of red blood cells and eases the use of trace mineral selenium and vitamins A and K. Vitamin E actually pertains to a group of compounds called tocopherols and tocotrienols. Most E products contain only tocopherols such as alpha, beta, delta and gamma-tocopherols with alpha-tocopherol considered as the most potent form. Recently though researchers have identified tocotrienols that promotes healthy heart.

There is a number of health benefits one can derived with taking vitamin E supplements. Among these include:

- It prevents heart disease and other complications associated with heart disease. Vitamin E seems to prevent oxidation of LDL or bad cholesterol which is the initial stage in the development of atherosclerosis which is buildup of plague in the arteries impeding normal circulation. As of the moment, no correlation between vitamin E and heart disease prevention have been satisfactorily established.

- It protects against prostate and other cancers. Due to its antioxidant properties, E vitamin protects cell membranes from the effects of free radicals which are results to cancer. But this effect could not be verified yet.

- It prevents cataracts and macular degeneration. Studies indicate that E vitamin can protect against cataracts and macular degeneration.

- It slows down the progress of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia due to its antioxidant properties.

- It slows down the aging process and enhances immunity by protecting cells from free radical damage.

- It promotes healing of burns, eczema and other skin problems.

Vitamin E comes in the following formulations: tablet, softgel, oil, liquid, cream and capsule. The recommended intake of E vitamin is 15 mg or equivalent to more or less 23 IU per day. Vitamin E deficiency can cause neurological damage. This rarely happens however because it often occur in people that impedes fat absorption since Vitamin E is fat-soluble vitamin. It is quite easy to obtain vitamin E with well-balanced diet and a minimum intake of polyunsaturated fat. For those who took excessive amounts of vitamin E at 1,000 IU a day may experience diarrhea and headaches. Doses beyond 800 IU a day of vitamin E may impede with the ability to clot blood causing risk to people taking blood thinners medicine. (anticoagulants). Taking high dosage of E vitamin will interfere with the absorption of vitamin A.

In most people, supplement dosage of 400 IU or less of vitamin E is enough since high doses pose risks. Vitamin E is effective when taken with vitamin C because the latter promotes absorption. Vitamin E products marked ‘mixed tocopherols’ are absorbed well.

For general health, take 200-400 IU daily. To prevent heart disease, take up to 800 IU daily. To prevent cancer, take up to 800 IU daily. In order to maximize its benefits, take vitamin E at the same time daily. Take this fat-soluble vitamin E with food that contains fat.

Vitamin E’s has mild blood-thinning effect which could cause problems when taken with another anticoagulant or blood-thinning supplement such as ginkgo biloba. If you have high blood pressure, consult your doctor before taking vitamin E supplements.