: Vitamin-C:

Vitamin C comes in several different forms: acid, alkaline, buffered, esterified and fat-soluble.

Vitamin C is a vital, daily nutrient. In the event of illness and stress, our requirements for it skyrocket. Unlike most animals, with the exception of guinea pigs, humans cannot produce their own vitamin C. To achieve the vitamin C levels produced by most animals, we would have to supplement about 10 grams a day of vitamin C. Linus Pauling and others believe this is a key reason why humans and not animals succumb to so much cardiovascular disease, since vitamin C is needed to protect and repair the delicate lining of the blood vessels. Often called "the most important vitamin," Vitamin C is a major antioxidant. Replacing this nutrient daily through supplementation to our diet is crucial for maintaining health.

A few key benefits of Vitamin C:

• Combats the effects of stress and pollutants
• Helps prevent or lessen the severity of the common cold
• Helps the body use iron
• Promotes healing of wounds, burns and fractures
• Increases resistance to infections and fatigue
• Promotes healthy gums
• Reduces the discomfort of allergies
• Helps to mobilize and remove heavy metals such as mercury, lead and copper
• Aids in decreasing the cholesterol level in the blood