Nowadays, it is possible to discover lots of ways for supporting prostate wellness. Aside from sticking to a balanced diet, quitting smoking, avoiding alcoholic drinks, and exercising regularly, one may consider taking useful supplements. May vitamin C, for instance, promote a healthy prostate or is it just an assumption? Let’s sort out what influence vitamin C has on the prostate of men.
Role of Vitamin C in the Body
Today, vitamin C is an essential part of the daily routine of most people. According to available information, approximately 35% of adults take multivitamin supplements which include vitamin C in their composition. At the same time, nearly 12% of adults take a separate vitamin C supplement.
The reason is vitamin C performs several significant functions in the human body. For instance, vitamin C possesses antioxidant properties, plays a crucial role in collagen synthesis, and maintains the immune system.
Antioxidant properties
Vitamin C is regarded as a strong antioxidant that assists in defending the human body from adverse molecules known as free radicals. These harmful molecules may damage cells, promote aging, and raise the risk of serious diseases, for instance, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and heart disease.
Collagen synthesis
Aside from owning antioxidant properties, vitamin C likewise plays a major role in the production of collagen. Being a protein, collagen is necessary for the growth and repair of tissues in the human body. What’s more, collagen is a significant component of tendons, cartilage, skin, ligaments, bone, etc.
Immune system support
Another benefit of vitamin C for the human body is the ability to maintain the immune system. This becomes possible at the expense of stimulating the production of white blood cells, which assist in combating infections and various diseases.
Vitamin C and prostate health
The usefulness of vitamin C in the human body is undeniable. However, may vitamin C contribute to prostate wellness or is it nothing more than a simple hypothesis? Hasten to please you since there is some data testifying that vitamin C may play an essential role in prostate health. Let’s have a look at some benefits that vitamin C has on the prostate of men.
Reducing inflammation
According to carried out pieces of research, vitamin C may assist in reducing inflammation. Having anti-inflammatory effects, vitamin C may contribute to decreasing inflammation in the prostate and lowering the risk of occurrence of prostate issues.
Lowering oxidative stress
As mentioned above, vitamin C possesses powerful antioxidant properties. This assists in defending the prostate and other tissues from oxidative stress, which, in turn, may be connected with the development of prostate issues, for instance, benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer.
Preventing cellular damage
Finally, vitamin C may assist in preventing cellular damage in the prostate. One of the major ways that vitamin C performs this is by owning antioxidant properties.
Various antioxidants, in particular vitamin C, contribute to defending cells from oxidative stress, which may be induced by free radicals’ adverse molecules. Free radicals may damage cells and promote the development of different health issues, particularly, prostate issues, for instance, benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer.
Vitamin C Dosage
Vitamin C is a popular antioxidant and water-soluble vitamin. There is no doubt that it has lots of benefits for human health, especially prostate wellness. However, it doesn’t mean you should take vitamin C thoughtlessly. Before you decide to take vitamin C in any form, it won’t be redundant to see your doctor and get recommendations on what dosage of vitamin C will be useful for you.
Daily intake for general health
Individuals may take vitamin C for maintaining general health. The advisable daily intake of vitamin C may vary depending on certain factors such as age, sex, and the presence of diseases of a separate individual.
As a rule, infants (0-6 months) may take 40 mg of vitamin C, infants (7-12 months) – 50 mg, children (1-3 years) – 15 mg, children (4-8 years) – 25 mg, children (9-13 years) – 45 mg, teenagers (14-18 years) – 65-75 mg, adults (19 years and older) – 75-90 mg for women and 90 mg for men, pregnant women – 85 mg, and breastfeeding women – 120 mg.
Recommendations for prostate health
There is no concrete daily intake of vitamin C that is advisable directly for prostate wellness. Nevertheless, the general daily intake advice for vitamin C may assist in maintaining prostate wellness by granting antioxidant defense and immune support.
Whether you plan to take vitamin C for general health or prostate wellness, keep in mind that it is crucial to consult your healthcare provider first. After carrying out an analysis, your doctor will prescribe you a safe and useful dosage of vitamin C.
Potential side effects
Vitamin C is usually regarded as well-tolerated and reliable when consumed in advisable amounts from food sources or supplements. Nevertheless, excessive consumption of vitamin C may result in certain side effects, especially in high doses. For instance, individuals may experience side effects such as digestive upset, kidney stones, iron overload, allergic reactions, etc. If you notice these or other side effects from vitamin C, stop taking it and hasten to see your doctor.
Sources of Vitamin C
Vitamin C is known as one of the most efficient and safest nutrients. The best part is that you may not only take supplements that include vitamin C. As a variant, you may simply consume specific foods that are rich in vitamin C. Let’s consider where it is possible to find amounts of vitamin C sufficient for prostate wellness and general health.
Food sources
Vitamin C may be found in various foods, especially fruits and vegetables. For instance, citrus fruits (grapefruit, oranges, lemons, and limes), berries (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries), tropical fruits (papayas, guavas, mangoes, and pineapples), leafy greens (spinach and kale), kiwi fruit, melons, tomatoes, bell peppers, broccoli, and potatoes are high in vitamin C.
Supplements
Aside from consuming foods that are good sources of vitamin C, you may consider taking special supplements. There are a few types of vitamin C supplements that are available for people. Every type of vitamin C supplement possesses its unique properties. Ascorbic acid, Ester-C, Sodium ascorbate, liposomal vitamin C, buffered vitamin C, and whole food vitamin C are regarded as the most common types of vitamin C supplements.
If you have trouble choosing good supplements, you may consult your doctor. Also, you may familiarize yourself with reviews of users about certain supplements to decide what vitamin C supplement is worth taking.
Summary
Vitamin C is a popular nutrient helpful for general health. What’s more, vitamin C is useful for prostate wellness as well. In particular, vitamin C is beneficial for the prostate gland since it reduces inflammation, decreases oxidative stress, and prevents cellular damage. Keep in mind to contact your doctor first if you want vitamin C use to be proper and effective.
FAQ
Is vitamin C supplement good for enlarged prostate?
While vitamin C possesses lots of health benefits and plays a crucial role in immune function, it may likewise have a protective effect against enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia).
Does vitamin C help with prostatitis?
According to some pieces of research, vitamin C may assist in decreasing inflammation and oxidative stress in the prostate, which, in turn, may potentially ease symptoms of prostatitis.
What vitamins are good for the prostate?
Vitamins C, D, E, zinc, selenium, and other nutrients are useful for prostate wellness.
Are vitamin C and zinc good for the prostate?
Yes, vitamin C and zinc are useful for prostate wellness. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant that may assist in decreasing inflammation in the prostate, while zinc plays a significant role in immune function and may decrease the risk of developing prostate cancer.
