Vitamin C: How to use it correctly?

Vitamin C is essential for the body. It is abundant in orange juice, lemon juice, tangerine juice, and in green vegetables, especially broccoli, potatoes, cabbage, tomatoes, etc.

Vitamin C also plays an important role in boosting the body's resistance to infection.

Helping children grow and prevent disease.

Vitamin C is crucial for children's growth and development, helping them effectively absorb iron and calcium from food. During periods of rapid growth, children are very susceptible to vitamin C deficiency due to insufficient dietary intake, manifesting as: reduced immunity, frequent illnesses accompanied by fatigue, loss of appetite, acne, rashes, allergies, itching, skin rashes, swollen gums, easy bleeding gums, mouth sores, and canker sores.

Numerous scientific studies have proven that vitamin C helps boost children's immunity, enabling them to protect themselves and prevent common illnesses caused by bacteria and viruses: colds, viral fever, hand-foot-mouth disease, chickenpox, fever due to bacterial infection, respiratory infections, asthma, etc.

Although vitamin C is an essential micronutrient for children's growth and development, it is a compound that the body cannot synthesize on its own, is unstable, and is easily soluble in water, so it is not accumulated in the body.

On the other hand, vitamin C is easily destroyed at high temperatures, so processed or long-stored foods are prone to losing it; therefore, vitamin C needs to be supplied daily. The basic sources of vitamin C for children are their diet, from vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, sweet potatoes, potatoes, etc.) and fruits (oranges, tangerines, peaches, pears, apples, etc.). However, a significant amount of vitamin C is lost during storage and processing, so children may not receive enough vitamin C and need to supplement with vitamin C products.

Note when using in combination with other medications.

It's important to note that when taking antibiotics, especially beta-lactam antibiotics such as penicillin, ampicillin, amoxicillin, augmentin, unacyl, cloxacyl, oxacillin, etc., you should avoid fruit juices or acidic drinks because these antibiotics are unstable in an acidic environment. Meanwhile, effervescent vitamin C tablets are essentially an ascorbic acid solution.

Many people have a habit of taking vitamin C effervescent tablets or using the liquid form of vitamin C to take other antibiotics after taking their prescribed medication. This is an incorrect way of using medication, leading to drug interactions between antibiotics and vitamin C, which is an acid. Therefore, the effectiveness of the antibiotic will be affected in the acidic environment of vitamin C.

Therefore, when taking antibiotics, it's best not to take vitamin C supplements at the same time. You should also avoid sour fruit juices, carbonated soft drinks, and acidic beverages immediately after taking antibiotics.

It's important to remember that many beta-lactam antibiotics, also known by brand names like amoksiklav, clamoxyl, hiconcil, ospen, dodacin, etc., must adhere to the principle of not being taken with substances that have an acidic pH. Therefore, when taking oral antibiotics, it's best not to take them with substances containing vitamin C.

Many people with stomach pain due to inflammation or ulcers are often advised to avoid sour foods to prevent increased gastric acid, which can cause pain by irritating the inflamed or ulcerated area. Because vitamin C tastes sour, many people mistakenly believe that those with stomach problems shouldn't take it. However, vitamin C is an essential vitamin for health and has a good effect on protecting blood vessels. Furthermore, vitamin C is not only found in sour fruits like lemons and oranges, but also in sweet fruits like papaya and watermelon, as well as in many vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, bell peppers, spinach, asparagus, bean sprouts, and onions.

People with stomach problems still need to eat enough of the foods mentioned above to boost their immune system and avoid vitamin C deficiency. Consuming vitamin C not only doesn't harm the stomach but also helps reduce the risk of H. pylori infection, the most common cause of gastritis and stomach ulcers.

Vitamin C has a protective effect on the stomach if consumed within acceptable limits. Maintaining normal levels of vitamin C in gastric juice can enhance stomach function, protect the stomach lining, and strengthen its resistance. Ideally, vitamin C should be obtained from fruits and vegetables.

During transitional seasons, the weather changes erratically, making it difficult for children's bodies to adapt. Parents should maintain a regular daily vitamin C supplement combined with a balanced diet to help children boost their immunity, support their recovery from bacterial and viral infections and respiratory illnesses, prevent frequent reinfections, and keep them healthy.

A balanced diet, in addition to essential nutrients, needs to include plenty of green vegetables and fruits to prevent vitamin C deficiency. Supplementing vitamin C naturally through diet is better than taking supplements. This is because it's an essential vitamin that helps the body fight oxidation, maintaining youthfulness, especially in the skin.

According to Health and Life - NT