Domestic Geek

Vitamin C is one of the most important substances we need. Besides helping keep our immune systems strong, it helps our bodies heal and is necessary for our bodies to absorb iron. This is especially important for women, who usually have low iron levels due to menstruation. Vitamin C is an antioxidant, meaning it helps block free radicals produced when the body turns food to energy. Free radicals are responsible for aging and contribute to many diseases such as cancer, heart disease and arthritis.

Since the body can not produce vitamin C on its own nor can it store it, constant supply needs to be ingested to stay healthy. The good news is that the only health problem caused by ingesting too much into your system is some pretty gnarly diarrhea and an upset stomach.

According to this article about vitamin C, here are some of the signs that you have a vitamin C deficiency:

* Dry and splitting hair
* Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums)
* Bleeding gums
* Rough, dry, scaly skin
* Decreased wound-healing rate
* Easy bruising
* Nosebleeds
* Weakened tooth enamel
* Swollen and painful joints
* Anemia
* Decreased ability to fight infection
* Possible weight gain because of slowed metabolism

A severe vitamin C deficiency is called scurvy.

Suni suggested I check out the benefits of using Fish Oil.

The oil is supposed to help the brain and heart. It is a beneficial supplement for people who suffer from depression, bipolar and borderline personality disorder. Fish oil has also been proven to protect people from age-related macular degeneration and relieve dry-end syndrome.

It is supposed to be beneficial to eat fish at least twice a week. From the American Heart Association web site:

We recommend eating fish (particularly fatty fish) at least two times a week. Fish is a good source of protein and doesn’t have the high saturated fat that fatty meat products do. Fatty fish like mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon are high in two kinds of omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

I used to eat a can of tuna fish for lunch every day, but I rarely eat fish anymore...I should start up again.

Laura suggested that I make mention of joint supplements during the 'thon. I wrote on this blog before about how my old dog, Ursa, was doing much better with her arthritic hips after we switched her to a senior dog food that contained glucosamine and chondroitin. In doing some research, I'm not finding side effects from using them. The only thing is they are freaking expensive.

Once I lose this extra weight , if I still have joint pain I may just make the investment. Like I said, it did wonders for the old dogs.

I also recall hearing that shark cartilage is good for rebuilding damage joint cartilage, but of course I can't find that information right at the moment. All I'm finding is supposedly fraudulent claims that it cures cancer or some other such crock. I'll edit this if I find it.

I'm all about trying to find natural remedies for the little problems that arise. I'm prone to UTIs (urinary tract infections). Most women are it turns out. Men can still get them, but they're not as common since the plumbing is routed differently. LOL

When I feel one coming on (you can't miss the symptoms — constant urge to pee with no urine, pain, etc), I let the fever crank up and I start popping Vitamin C and Cranberry extract. I only resort to a doctor's visit and the ultimate antibiotic if this doesn't do the trick.

I know I don't get the proper nutrition on any given day. Even when I do eat a balanced diet, a lot of our foods are not as nutrient rich (due to over-farming, etc) as they were in the past.

It's important to supplement your diet with a multi-vitamin. I know I can tell a major difference in my moods and in my physical well-being between when I take one and when I forget. It's harder to concentrate or sometimes even function when I don't get enough essential vitamins and minerals. I believe that most children that are diagnosed as ADHD are simply suffering from poor nutrition.

I read somewhere that vitamins in gelatin capsules are better for you than hard pills, but now I can't find that reference. It mentioned something about your body not breaking down the whole pill before you expel it. Not sure about that one!