Vitamin C may help the body burn fat

Vitamin C might not keep you from catching a cold, but not getting an adequate amount of the vitamin may keep you from burning fat efficiently.

A study from Arizona State University found that people with low blood concentrations of vitamin C, who walked on treadmills for a 60-minute session, burned 25 percent less fat than participants with adequate amounts of C. Fortunately, a simple dose of vitamin C remedied the lackluster fat-burning potential of the participants. Vitamin C is necessary for creating the compound carnitine, which helps turn fat into fuel.

While the recommended daily intake of vitamin C is low — 90 mg for men and 75 mg for women — many health advocates recommend larger daily doses. Holistic health doctor Andrew Weil recommends 200 mg daily, while the Linus Pauling Institute (named for the scientist who made the vitamin famous) recommends 400 mg daily.

Getting enough vitamin C from food is straightforward: citrus fruits, bell peppers, and strawberries are all rich sources — a half cup of strawberries contains about 42 mg of vitamin C. In Ayurveda, amla (Indian gooseberry) is prized as one of the fruit kingdom's richest vitamin C sources — that guide breaks down what modern trials and traditional texts each say about it, with dosage and safety notes.

This article is general information only and is not medical advice.

Originally reported by FitSugar (the original link has since been retired).