Vitamin C

WOW! So many functions in the body require vitamin C to function well. How about this for a quick list?

.Powerful ANTIOXIDANT ~ with every deep breath we take, we ingest approximately one million free radicals...scary! (Free radicals are by-products of every bodily 'function'). However, give the body some building tools like vitamin C and it gets straight to work to heal itself...now that's amazing!
Vitamin C is readily absorbed by the intestines and then goes to all the watery components of tissues in the body. Considering that the human body is composed of approximately 60% water, that means vitamin C goes most everywhere in our bodies. So the blood, fluid inside the cells and surrounding (interstitual) fluids, all require vitamin C to stay clean. Vitamin C protects cells from free-radical damage, even to preventing the proliferation of cancerous cells. As we have over 100 trillion cells in the human body, it behoves us to protect them well.
In fact, vitamin C is such a powerful antioxidant tool for the body that it is essential in treating many CANCERS as it is actually toxic to most cancer cells. It is also toxic to viruses, bacteria and other such harmful cells. Not only is it toxic to these harmful cells but vitamin C stimulates our bodies own IMMUNE SYSTEM into action.
Vitamin C and a healthy HEART ~ vitamin C reduces the stiffness of arteries and the tendency of platelets to clump together. When taken with vitamin E, it helps to prevent the build up of plaque in coronary arteries. The body needs vitamin C to produce nitric oxide which is required for the dilation of blood vessels. When blood vessels are dilated it prevents spasms in the arteries and thus heart attacks. Any dysfunction of cells is reversed in the cells lining the blood vessels when adequate vitamin C is available to the body. For those concerned about STROKES, making sure that you have enough vitamin C can reduce the possibility by approximately 40%. There are many studies showing that taking vitamin C after a stroke helps to heal the areas affected.
COLLAGEN ~ Collagen constitutes 30% of our body and is found in approximately 90% of the body. That makes it a reasonably important component! In order to produce this collagen the body requires vitamin C. All muscles (the human body has over 600), connective tissues and blood vessels are made with collagen. In order to repair and maintain cartilage, bones (206 in the body) and teeth, vitamin C is needed. Thus, ARTHRITIS, GUM DISEASE, and the like, need vitamin C in order to heal. Maybe, they are caused, in part, by the lack of enough vitamin C in our diets.
For the HEALING OF WOUNDS in our body, it is essential that we have adequate vitamin C. Recurring infections suggest a lack of this vital vitamin. Furunculosis (recurring BOILS) can be due to a 'malfunction' of the white blood cells, which is once again corrected when giving the body vitamin C to work with.
More and more people are suffering with DIABETES. One of the nasty side-effects is the damage diabetes does to the eyes, nerves and kidneys. However, with vitamin C all of these can be helped. In fact, vitamin C can help greatly in the prevention of CATARACTS.


WOW! That's one very impacting vitamin! That means the skeletal system, muscular system, immune system, cardiovascular system, endocrine system, nervous system, reproductive system, digestive, urinary and excretory systems are all impacted by vitamin C. When you consider all of this, and the fact that the RDU is only 60mg, which is just enough to keep scurvy away, you can see how we are probably severely depriving ourselves of this valuable building block.
I hear you say that you are eating fruit and vegetables, which is wonderful, truly, but a piece of fruit has it's highest vitamin C content just as it is about to fall off the tree. The fruit we get from supermarkets is picked green and then ripened with gas making it very deficient in vitamin C and other 'goodies'. Our soils are so depleted due to overuse, pesticides, chemicals, etc., that our fruit and veg are again deficient. Add to this mix all our stresses and pollutants and it is no wonder we are becoming so diseased.
 Fruit and vegetable are good sources for natural vitamin C. The body will happily use supplements as well and does not seem to be too picky. In saying that, vitamin C obtained from rose hips seems to have a better impact.
Our bodies are designed to heal themselves. They are miraculous! Let's give them what they need to function well.
So, how much vitamin C should we be taking? Every person, being an individual, will have a differing amount required. But if you have any of the above symptoms then your body is already lacking and needs help. Between 3000-4000mg of vitamin C per day would be great to start with. Vitamin C is one of those great vitamins that we cannot overdose on, as the body daily eliminates what it does not need. Some people may even need more while they are healing. Remember too, that it takes time for the body to heal all 100 trillion of those cells, but heal it, it will, given time and the right ingredients.

Office Stretches

For all those who sit at desks for hours at a time, I have a few stretches for you to do that will make the world of difference to your body.

See, our bodies where never designed to stay in one position for hours at a time. This causes our muscles to 'seize'. Muscles where designed to shorten and lengthen continuously and in many and varied positions. Any one thing done to excess will cause problems eventually...there must be balance!
Over extended periods of time sitting at our desks, muscles stay in the shorter or longer position (usually in a hunched over posture with head forward). This hunching comes from the shortening of the chest Pectorial muscles, especially as arms are usually in a forward position working keyboards or working on the material in front of you. As these muscles shorten, the Rhomboids and Lattisimus Dorsi on the back, are becoming stretched. Abdominals are normally compromised as most of us do not sit up straight and engage them at the desk. Lower backs have to take the slack of the un-engaged abdominals. Hip flexors (in the front of the hip and attached to the upper thigh) shorten, as do the quads in the front of the thigh. Hamstrings in the back become weak as do the Glutes in the buttocks. Even the muscles in the lower leg are compromised depending on how you habitually sit.
Repetitious actions like using the mouse or even pushing a pen for hours will cause knots to form in the muscles of the hand, wrist and forearm. Pain may become noticeable in the Scapula (shoulder blade). The further over you 'hunch' the further forward the head drops causing huge strain to the neck muscles. This can lead to pain between the shoulder blades, nasty headaches and impingement of nerves causing pins and needles right down to the fingertips.
As if that is not bad enough, it is actually getting worse on the cellular level. While all of the above is happening, the blood and lymph are not being pushed through the muscle tissue and individual cells. Adequate oxygen and nutrients are not being delivered , and in turn toxic waste is not being removed as it should be. Without the right food nothing functions well.

Definitely get up and move around when ever you can, but when you can't...
Take five minutes to run through these stretches at your desk and your body will thank you for it.
Hold each stretch for approximately 20 seconds easing gently into the stretch to a point of 'comfortable discomfort'- Pain is not the destination!




#1 Place your ankle across your knee - arms forward leaning over the crossed leg easing into stretch of the lower back and glut. Hold stretch then repeat for other leg.






#2 With both feet flat on the floor shoulder width apart, bend forward reaching your arms towards the floor and hold.  This stretch is for the waist and lower back area.

#3 Sit forward in the chair with both feet flat on the floor shoulder width apart. Take your right hand to the left hand arm rest and the left arm behind to the back of the chair. Hold and repeat for other side. This movement is designed to stretch the obliques on the far side, the mid back and the chest area.











#4 Sitting upright and forward in the chair with feet flat on the floor shoulder width apart, raise your arms above your head. Grab your left arm with your right hand and pull it towards the right. As you bend over feel the stretch from the shoulder joint down the left hand side of your body. Hold for 20 seconds and repeat on the other side.

#5 Stand in front of the chair and place your hands on the top of your hips towards the backbone. Lean gently backwards gaining a stretch to the upper buttocks, across the chest and often into the front of the hips. Some may even find a stretch to the upper abs.







#6 Sitting on the front of the chair, extend your legs in front with heels on the floor and toes pulled back towards you. Lean forward towards toes stretching calf muscles, hamstrings, gluteous muscles and even lower back.

At only 20 seconds each, these stretches do not take a long time, but the rewards are immense. With continuous application all of the above results can be reversed. You do not have to live in pain just because you work at a desk all day...you really don't! But you do have to put in just a little bit of continuous effort...just five minutes each day...that's all!
If you want some extra help with pain or bad posture, then your massage therapist/physiotherapist/osteopath should be able to help you. These people know muscles. Elongating muscles, removing trigger points, strengthening muscles...these are all things they can help you with.
So, begin today by stretching a little. Get your office co-workers to join in for a little fun. It's great to give each other encouragement and support (even if it is to groan together!).





Stay motivated and enjoy!