Vitamin C is the most widely taken vitamin in the world. World production is about 242 million pounds per year. China is becoming the major world supplier because of pricing and is working on a new method to produce vitamin C to further reduce costs. This already a low-cost supplement brings many great benefits to millions of people around the world.

Ascorbic acid or vitamin C is vital to good health, but it is not the miracle that many people have hoped. It certainly is critical to life, but the hopes that it could cure cancer and other dread diseases have not happened. It does not mean that there are not many great benefits of vitamin C.

In the world today, scurvy is almost unknown, but vitamin C is a natural way to cure it in third world countries. The duration of colds can be lessened by up to 13% in adults when 200 mg or more are taken. It can also lessen the battle with gout.

There are some areas where ascorbic acid really stands tall and deserves the credit it receives.
* Antihistamine: Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine. Increased detoxification of histamine and prevention of histamine release are the keys to its effectiveness. A 1992 study found that 2 grams of vitamin C per day would lower the blood histamine levels about 40% in one week. Those with high hay fever and other histamine causing allergies should consider upping vitamin C dosage at particular times of the year.
* Antioxidant: Cardiovascular disease, hypertension, chronic inflammatory diseases, burn patients and diabetes may be impacted by the use of vitamin C. Oxidative stress is when there are more free radicals than antioxidants. Vitamin C is well-known for it antioxidant activity although it is not yet certain whether vitamin C can prevent oxidative stress. Studies have been made, but it is not evident that vitamin C helps people live longer. The link has not been proven by research but it is conclusive ascorbic acid is a strong antioxidant and therefore the likelihood exists that it can help significantly.
* Immune system: The lack of vitamin C is detrimental to the immune function. Vitamin C deficiency reduces resistance to some pathogens.

Vitamin C can be ingested through food and that is the best of all methods, however, because of our lifestyles it is not always practical to expect that you can get enough through diet. That is why supplements are so important for good health.

It has not proven to be the miracle some have hoped, but the fact that it does so much for the body gives people hope that somehow this vitamin in nature can be used to cure many diseases in the future. Until there is final proof either way, I intend to continue taking it so that I can receive the full vitamin C benefits no matter what they are.