Vitamin C aids weight loss

It seems vitamin C supplements can help you look younger in more ways than one.

You may know that Vitamin C is great for younger looking skin. But did you know that vitamin C can help you in your fight with middle age spread? That’s the conclusion that a bunch of researchers at Arizona State University came to.

Apparently low blood levels of vitamin C are directly linked to larger waists, higher BMI (Body Mass Index) and higher blood fat levels.

People with higher levels of vitamin C in their blood are correspondingly slimmer around the waist with better BMI and less fat in the blood. All of which is definitely a good thing.

Most of us know that vitamin C is important and that we should eat vitamin C rich foods and take a vitamin C supplement at a pretty high level (in excess of 1000 mg a day is now recommended) to make sure we get the boost to our immune system that we need for healthy aging.

But the fact that good old vitamin C can help in the war on abdominal flab as well is welcome news. The researchers weren’t sure exactly how this worked – whether obesity runs down your vitamin C levels or whether low levels of vitamin C mean you’re more likely to become obese in the first place.

But one thing is very clear from the research – if you have higher levels of vitamin C in your blood you’ll burn fat at a faster rate when you exercise.

It’s all to do with the relationship between vitamin C and L-carnitine apparently. Carnitine is important in carrying energy to the heart of each cell in the body. Vitamin C is vital for the production of carnitine so not getting enough vitamin C will deplete your energy levels and cause your body to store fat in your muscles.

The result – excess weight and flab – and for those in middle age that means more abdominal flab – the worst kind.

If you are overweight – especially if you are obese – the chances are that you get plenty of calories but not enough of the nutrients you need for health and energy. And if you go on a diet the situation gets worse – it becomes even harder to keep your levels of nutrients up and eat well.

If you need to lose weight – health supplements can help you achieve healthy weight loss. Lose weight by whatever means you can – but make sure you up your intake of key vitamins and minerals at the same time.

So – if you’re looking to lose weight and look younger instantly – increase your intake of fresh fruit and vegetables and start taking a high level vitamin C supplement.

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