10/12/2019
Hey VGang! Do you know what humans and guinea pigs have in common?🍊
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We both lack the ability to synthesize our own Vitamin C, which means we have to rely on an outside source - ie. fresh plant foods (bats and other primates also have this in common). 🐒
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We cannot make it because we lack the enzyme l-gulonolactone oxidase, other mammals still have this enzyme so they are able to synthesize their own Vitamin C.
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We may have lost this enzyme because Vitamin C has been so prevalent in our diets throughout history, with people from cold Northern regions relying on infusions of pine needles and rose hips to get enough.
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In addition to the many important roles in the body (antioxidant, immune function, bone health, iron & folate metabolism - just to name a few), Vitamin C plays an essential part in collagen production.
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Eating collagen protein (this only comes from animal products) does NOT make collagen in the body. It is only supplying amino acids, and these amino acids are abundant in plant foods as well.
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What is super important for supporting collagen production in the body are what I call the collagen 'builders' and Vitamin C is an essential one. Other important builders include silica and other trace minerals, and a variety of antioxidants.
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I wrote a detailed article about this which can be found on my blog (link in bio), and swipe to see a list of collagen building blocks and builders.
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If you bruise easily, get sick often, have low iron, low energy, slow wound healing, or you are just curious about your Vitamin C intake feel free to stop by or book a consultation.
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