The Advantages of Taking Vitamin D and C

Vitamins D and C play a part in keeping you healthy by promoting strong bones and tissues. However, evidence casts doubt on the idea that they can actually prevent serious diseases in adult life or even minor ailments such as the common cold, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The most effective way of ensuring that your body gets enough of both vitamins is to eat a balanced diet. If you are worried that you might be experiencing a deficiency of either vitamin and wish to take supplements, you should seek the advice of your health provider.

Function

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorous. Both minerals are important in the formation of bones and teeth and also play a role in cell reproduction, muscle flexing and regulation of the heartbeat. Vitamin C is vital to the repair and replenishment of damaged tissues.

Advantages of Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps to keep your bones dense and strong, and can assist in the repair of fractures. In children, it prevents rickets. In adults, it lessens the risk of osteoporosis, hypertension, or high blood pressure, and ailments of the autoimmune system.

Advantages of Vitamin C

Vitamin C contributes to your body's healing processes. It helps your body to produce collagen, which builds skin, ligaments and a variety of other essential tissues. It lowers the risk of anemia by aiding in the absorption of iron. In addition, it is an antioxidant which assists in protecting your body from the harmful effects of free radicals, waste products which occur when food is converted into energy.

Getting Vitamins D and C

You can find vitamin D in most dairy products and in fish. Alternatively, you can encourage your body to manufacture its own by exposing yourself to sunshine; 15 minutes of sun, 3 times a week, will give you all the vitamin D you need. Vitamin C is present in various quantities in all fruit and vegetables, but rich sources are tomatoes, peppers, greens and the popular varieties of berry. The best way of ensuring you have enough of these vitamins is a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. If you wish to ingest them as supplements, you should consult your health provider as to dosage.