Vitamin C as a Stress Survival Molecule

Vitamin C is well-known for its immune health benefits, but is vitamin C really a vitamin at all? In this video, I’ll cover health facts about vitamin C, including the benefits, the symptoms of vitamin C deficiency, and how you can increase your levels.

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0:00 Introduction: What is vitamin C?

0:16 Vitamin C explained

1:16 Vitamin C deficiency

1:53 Vitamin C supplements

3:00 Vitamin C science

3:34 Vitamin C deficiency symptoms

6:01 Sources of vitamin C

7:32 How to increase your vitamin C levels

What if I told you that vitamin C isn’t a vitamin at all? Vitamin C is a stress survival molecule! The body uses vitamin C when it’s under certain types of stress, such as:

• Infection

• Inflammation

• Injury

• Emotional stress

• Physical stress

• Low oxygen

If you’re on a high-sugar or high-carb diet, vitamin C will not work as efficiently in your body. Humans cannot produce vitamin C, and rely entirely on dietary sources.

Around 90% of vitamin C supplements are synthetic and produced from corn sugar in factories, mostly manufactured overseas. Synthetic vitamin C is incredibly cheap, costing the producer around 30 cents per bottle. Check your vitamin C labels to ensure it’s not just ascorbic acid.

The vitamin C molecule is structurally similar to sugar and enters the cell in the same way. So if you consume a lot of sugar or carbs, you won’t be able to adequately absorb vitamin C.

Vitamin C supports the mitochondria, which is why you might feel fatigued if you’re deficient. It helps you handle stress, recycle other antioxidants, and absorb iron, leaving you feeling tired, weak, foggy, and unable to recover if you don’t have enough. Vitamin C also helps your cells properly respond to oxygen.

Scurvy is the end-stage of a severe vitamin C deficiency. Subclinical scurvy is a modern-day issue characterized by slow healing, easy bruising, frequent infections, chronic fatigue, and chronic inflammation. Bleeding gums are also a common symptom of vitamin C deficiency.

Some of the best sources of vitamin C are bell peppers, papaya, and raw sauerkraut. Heat and oxygen exposure degrade vitamin C, so pasteurized orange juice often lacks it. Fermented vegetables, especially sauerkraut, are loaded with vitamin C.

To increase your vitamin C levels and avoid vitamin C deficiency:

• Consume ½ cup of fermented vegetables daily

• Consume bell peppers

• Reduce stress

• Reduce sugar intake

• Go on a low-carb diet

Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio:

Dr. Berg, age 60, is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the Director of Dr. Berg Nutritionals and author of the best-selling book The Healthy Keto Plan. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media.

Disclaimer:

Dr. Eric Berg received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Berg is a licensed chiropractor in Virginia, California, and Louisiana, but he no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients, so he can focus on educating people as a full-time activity, yet he maintains an active license. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose, and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, prescription, or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Berg and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.