Vitamin C is essential for the metabolism: it helps detoxify, improves iron intake, and supports the muscles. It scavenges for free radicals, promotes cell health, and provides important support for the immune system against pathogens.
Vitamin C also contributes to vascular health. More precisely, it supports the health of the endothelium – the cells that form the innermost wall layer of lymph and blood vessels. The endothelium keeps the blood vessels elastic. If the function of the endothelium is impaired, this can lead to chronically inflamed vessels and high blood pressure.
A daily dose of vitamin C of more than 500 mg can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
How Much Vitamin C Does the Vascular Wall Need?
People with diabetes or atherosclerosis, in particular, benefit from increased vitamin C intake, as shown by research data. A British survey of 44 clinical studies involving a total of around 1,100 people showed that a daily dose of more than 500 mg vitamin C is particularly beneficial for those who have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
In this dosage vitamin C provides a clear improvement of the vascular wall function in people with a cardiac or metabolic disorder. Whether the increased vitamin C intake can also reduce mortality from cardiovascular diseases will be an interesting topic for future investigations.
