Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that is important for the normal production and function of immune system cells.¹ As an antioxidant, vitamin C helps our body’s cells, including immune cells, to fight against oxidative damage by helping to quench free radical species.¹ These offenders can be generated during normal metabolism as well as through exposure to toxins and pollutants and are detrimental to overall health. In addition to its role as an antioxidant, vitamin C enhances iron absorption in the intestine and is required for collagen formation.² † 

Multiple factors, including age, gender, life stage and smoking status, affect the amount of vitamin C a person needs.² Therefore, the Institute of Medicine’s Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamin C varies slightly between men and women of different life stages and conditions. It is recommended that men and women 19 years and older consume 90 mg and 75 mg per day, respectively.² This recommendation increases in men and women who smoke to 125 mg and 110 mg, respectively, due to the increased oxidative stress they experience.² Recommendations for pregnant and breast feeding women are 85 mg per day and 120 mg per day, respectively, and are higher to address the increased needs of mother and baby.²