Vitamin C
Be honest, you probably don’t take vitamin C until you have a cold – but
you should. Its antioxidant properties lower the risk of heart disease
by barring free radicals from building up on artery walls and causing
atherosclerosis. It also improves blood pressure and, at levels of 1,000
to 2,000 milligram, can help synthesize and thus reduce the effects of
the amino acid homocysteine. On top of its heart-healthy benefits,
vitamin C assists with the synthesizing of the amino acid carnitine,
which in turn helps break down ingested fats. Beware of taking high
doses of vitamin C supplements (more than 2,000 mg per day), however:
This can cause nausea, diarrhea, kidney stones, and stomach
inflammation.
