You may have heard about English sailors eating limes on long sea voyages to prevent scurvy and earning the nickname “limeys.” Eating limes provided a source of vitamin C, a water-soluble vitamin essential to humans. Most mammals can synthesize vitamin C, but humans cannot make it, so we must get it from an external source. Most of us eat a varied enough diet that we are not at risk for scurvy today, but what most people don’t realize is that stress, pollution, smoking, radiation (especially EMF), heavy metal exposure, immune challenges and even temperature changes all increase our requirements for vitamin C.*
Vitamin C is crucial for overall health and well-being and has wide-ranging effects on almost all tissues in the body because it is required for the synthesis of and function of collagen. Collagen is a fundamental component of bones, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, skin, gums, and joints. Optimal collagen formation is critical to the integrity of all these tissues, and crucial for proper wound healing. Ultimately, the health of all these tissues depends on optimal intake of vitamin C.
Energy generation from fatty acids is also vitamin C-dependent, since synthesis of carnitine (the molecule that shuttles long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria) requires this versatile vitamin. Vitamin C is maintained in relatively high concentrations in the brain and is essential to maintaining healthy mood and brain function because it facilitates conversion of dopamine to norepinephrine and enhances communication between nerve cells.*
Vitamin C has long been recognized for its contribution to immune function. Immune cells absorb and concentrate vitamin C. Immune cell activity, particularly T-cell function and phagocytosis, is found to be enhanced by this essential vitamin. For example, a study in 1972 revealed that supplementing with vitamin C significantly reduced missed days from work/activities and reduced length of illness.
Other well-known functions for vitamin C include antioxidant protection from free radicals and oxidative stress, wound healing, and serving as a co-factor for several metabolic enzymes, including hydroxylase and oxygenase enzymes in hydroxylation reactions.
This is why we recommend vitamin C as part of a regular supplement regimen, but not just any vitamin C. We have carefully selected a unique formulation for the Truth For Health Foundation store: TruC+BioFlav™ a unique combination of high-potency vitamin C with a standardized, full-spectrum citrus bioflavonoid complex in a 1:1 ratio. This is important because these two are found together in nature, and while both have numerous health benefits, they are enhanced when combined.
Bioflavonoids are phytochemicals, pigments that give fruits and flowers their colors and are often found together with vitamin C in nature. More than 4000 bioflavonoids have been identified and they are considered to be among the most important and interesting classes of biologically active compounds in contemporary research. Intake of flavonoids is associated with healthy cardiovascular status, the body’s normal response to inflammation, and positive microbial balance.*
Bioflavonoids are used in clinical protocols to support tissue and joint comfort and the body’s normal response to inflammation, respiratory and eye health, and maintenance of cardiovascular health. Citrus bioflavonoids are able to cross the blood-brain barrier and have been recognized for their neuroprotective effects.
As cell-signaling agents, bioflavonoids+ are believed to support healthy cell growth and normal cell-life regulation (important in cancer prevention), they stimulate detoxification enzymes, decrease vascular cell adhesion molecules (think blood clots and cardiovascular disease prevention), increase vasodilation (good for blood pressure), and support healthy platelet function.
TruC+BioFlav™ is truly a work horse when it comes to improving health and resilience and defending ourselves from stress and environmental or infectious threats to our health. That’s why we have included TruC+BioFlav™ as an essential component of our TruResilience Formula. You may purchase it separately to help you reduce risk of illness during cold and flu season or as part of the our TruResilience Formula package for multiple health benefits and additional discounts.
Optimal intake of vitamin C for humans continues to be debated, though normal vitamin C synthesis in mammals such as the rat is calculated to be 26-58 mg/kg/day. Dr. Linus Pauling, in his 1970 article on evolution and vitamin C requirements, recommended a minimum intake of 2300 mg per 2500 kilocalorie intake per day for humans.* For many years I have personally been taking vitamin C with bioflavonoids 2000 mg daily all year around because it has so many benefits to overall health. Then I increase the dose if I get a cold or flu, or following surgery to improve wound repair and healing.
To your improving health!
Elizabeth Lee Vliet, MD
All Truth for Health Foundation Formulas are Meet or Exceed Quality Standards set by FDA Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). For more information, references from studies are listed in the Product Data Sheets.
Under medical practice regulations, we are unable to answer individual medical questions or make specific individual supplement recommendations for people who are not established patients of Dr. Vliet’s independent medical practice.*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
For more information, you can review some of the studies listed in the References in our Product Data Sheet
+This link leads to a website provided by the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. Truth for Health Foundation is not affiliated or endorsed by the Linus Pauling Institute or Oregon State University.
