Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid): 500 mg
Around 90 percent of vitamin C in the typical diet comes from fresh fruits and vegetables. Peppers — sweet green and red peppers, and hot red and green chili peppers — are especially rich in vitamin C. Other good sources include citrus fruits and juices, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, collards, mustard greens, broccoli, spinach and strawberries. It is important to note that cooking destroys vitamin C activity. Vitamin C, justifiably so, has become the world’s most popular vitamin. The reasoning behind this vitamin’s grand reputation is at once multi-faceted as well as amazing. The bodily functions promoted by this vitamin create an extensive list.
Ascorbic acid is best known for its antioxidant properties. Ascorbic acid may be the most important water-soluble antioxidant in the body.
The capacity of Vitamin C to support the immune system seems to be common knowledge. In support of an elevated vitamin C intake, an expert scientific panel recently recommended increasing the current RDA for vitamin C from 60mg to at least 100-200mg per day. Next, vitamin C may promote normal pulmonary health. Part of the protective action of vitamin C appears to be due to its antioxidant properties. Finally, some studies suggest that vitamin C supplementation will help to maintain healthy vision.
Vitamin C helps support cardiovascular health in a few different ways. It assists in promoting normal levels of cholesterol and normal blood pressure and promotes normal platelet activity. It also promotes healthy triglyceride levels. Vitamin C protects against LDL peroxidation by scavenging free radicals. Vitamin C helps maintain endothelial cell function by promoting the synthesis of nitric oxide (also known as NO and EDRF for endothelium-derived relaxing factor).
As mentioned above, vitamin C helps preserve intracellular reduced glutathione concentrations. This activity likely helps maintain nitric oxide levels and potentiates its vasoactive effects, helping to maintain the integrity of blood vessels.
Vitamin C may promote normal modulation of prostaglandin synthesis which, in turn, promotes normal vasodilatory activity. As observed above, vitamin C helps maintain nitric oxide levels and supports its ability to preserve the integrity of the blood vessels. There is an indication that vitamin C supports endothelial-dependent vasodilation.
Vitamin C plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy connective tissues, including collagen, elastin, fibronectin, proteoglycans, bone matrix and elastin-associated fibrillin. Also, a lack of vitamin C can cause general fatigue. Next, vitamin C helps moderate healthy iron absorption, transport and storage. It promotes the normal intestinal absorption of iron.
Vitamin A (Beta Carotene) 240 mcg
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is part of a family of compounds, including retinol, retinal and beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is also known as pro-vitamin A because it can be converted into vitamin A. The best sources of vitamin A include organ meats (such as liver and kidney) egg yolks, butter, carrot juice, squash, sweet potatoes, spinach, peaches, fortified dairy products (such as milk and some margarines) and cod liver oil.
Vitamin A has exhibited anti-aging and antioxidant activities. Vitamin A helps to maintain vision. It promotes normal bone growth and also contributes to a healthy immune system. Vitamin A plays supports normal epithelial differentiation, growth, reproduction, pattern formation during embryogenesis, bone development, hematopoiesis and brain development. Children are particularly susceptible to the effects of vitamin A deficiency.
Potassium (Bicarbonate) 101 mg
Foods rich in potassium include fresh vegetables and fruits, such as bananas, oranges, cantaloupe, avocado, raw spinach, cabbage and celery.
Potassium is an essential macromineral that helps to keep fluid balance. It also plays a role in a wide variety of biochemical and physiological processes. Among other things, it promotes the normal transmission of nerve impulses, the normal contraction of cardiac, skeletal and smooth muscle, the normal production of energy, the normal synthesis of nucleic acids, the maintenance of intracellular tonicity and the maintenance of normal blood pressure. Potassium promotes muscle relaxation and supports normal insulin release. It also promotes normal glycogen and protein synthesis. Potassium is an electrolyte that promotes proper heartbeat, and it is important in supporting the normal release of energy from protein, fat and carbohydrates during metabolism.
Potassium also promotes the normal regulation of water balance. Potassium promotes the normal elimination of wastes and generally contributes to a sense of well-being. Potassium is stored in the muscles. Some symptoms of potassium deficiency include poor circulation, earaches, inability to sleep, muscle weakness and water retention.
Sodium and potassium are two of the most important ions in helping the body maintain the homeostatic equilibrium of fluids.