Benefits of Vitamin C for Males

by Vorst Canada November 22, 2021

vitamin c for males

DISCLAIMER: This article has been written for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Vitamin C is well-known for its benefits in the treatment of the common cold. Though it is not the definite cure for the common cold, it may help improve protection against immune response deficiencies, male infertility, prenatal health issues, eye disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and skin problems. Therefore, vitamin C has been valued with great attention in medical science and for a good reason.

In this article, we’ll explore the basics of vitamin C and the benefits of vitamin C for males. So, continue to read on.

Table of contents

What is vitamin C?
Sources of vitamin C
Why vitamin C is important for the human body?
Benefits of vitamin C for males
How much vitamin C is required for male adults?
Precautions and side effects
Final words
Disclaimer

What is vitamin C?

Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, is a key nutrient in the human body that plays a vital role in body’s functioning. It occurs naturally in food sources, particularly certain vegetables and fruits. It is also found in some dietary supplements.

Vitamin C supports diverse bodily functions including the healing of wounds, the synthesis of collagen, the repairing and maintaining of teeth, bones, and cartilages. It also shows tremendous antioxidant actions, making it a powerful agent to neutralize free radicals that can damage cells in the body.

Vitamin C has historically been used in the treatment and prevention of scurvy and other vitamin C deficiency disorders. It is widely considered a natural immune booster and used in traditional medicines to treat infections such as the common cold and flu.

Sources of vitamin C

Good sources of vitamin C are found in fresh vegetables and fruits particularly citrus fruits. But it’s important to know that vitamin C is water-soluble vitamin and the amount of vitamin C in foods can be destroyed by heat and water while cooking. Therefore, it’s recommended to eat raw foods to get the optimum levels of vitamin C.

Here’re some food sources that are rich in vitamin C

Oranges
Green and red peppers
Strawberries
Grapefruit
Guava
Kiwifruit
Green leafy veggies such as spinach
Green peas
Potatoes
Tomatoes

Why vitamin C is important for the human body?

The human body needs vitamin C to perform various important biological functions. Some of them may include:

Formation of L-carnitine, collagen, and some neurotransmitters.
Elimination of unwanted reactive oxidative species (ROS) with its antioxidative actions.
Absorption of iron and many other important elements.
Formation of strong natural defense.
Formation of strong healing and repairing process.

ROS are unwanted substances such as free radicals that result from exposure to pollutions, different bodily processes as byproducts, and other factors. These substances often lead to oxidative stress, which, in turn, may cause cell damage even in genetic levels.

The antioxidant properties of vitamin C help minimize inflammation and reduce the risk of developing numerous health conditions, including some cancers.

Vitamin C plays an important role in the production of collagen, which is the primary ingredient of connective tissue.

Collagen is an essential element in various fibrous tissues, including:

Ligaments
Tendons
Skin
The cornea
Bones
The gut
Cartilages
Blood vessels

The deficiency of vitamin C in the body may lead to scurvy, which is characterized by bleeding gums, loose teeth, bruising, swollen joints, rash, anemia, and fatigue.

Benefits of vitamin C for males

Some studies have found that taking antioxidant supplements like vitamin C may enhance fertility in males.

When the body’s natural antioxidant levels get overwhelmed due to an unhealthy lifestyle, old age, environmental pollutants, and diseases, levels of reactive oxidative species and oxidative stress reach harmful levels and affect fertility.

Some reviews also suggest that excessive levels of ROS and oxidative stress may lead to a decline in semen quality and cause infertility in men.

Taking adequate antioxidants like vitamin C can help reduce harmful effects of oxidative stress and ROS and increase the capacity of fertility in men.

Some evidence also suggests that supplementing vitamin C may improve semen quality and increase the fertilizing capacity of sperm in men.

A scientific review in infertile men revealed that supplementing vitamin C with a dosage of 1000 mg twice a day for up to 60 days improved sperm motility by around 92 % and sperm count by around 100 % and reduced the deformed sperm cells count by around 55 %.

Before taking vitamin C as a therapeutic agent in male reproductive conditions, a thorough check-up of semen and associated conditions is required. Therefore, consult your doctor prior to using vitamin C supplements for male infertility.

How much vitamin C is required for male adults?

According to reliable health organizations, the minimum recommended daily allowances (RDA) of vitamin C for healthy adult males is 90 mg per day. Additional vitamin C is required for certain conditions such as smoking, alcohol use, any disease, or excessive industrial pollutant exposure.

Since vitamin C is water-soluble, the human body doesn’t store or produce this vital nutrient. Hence, vitamin C is needed to be taken in a regular manner through foods or dietary supplements.

To obtain the optimum benefits, 500 mg to 1000 mg of vitamin C is a good option to start. But, always check with your healthcare practitioner prior to using any supplement.

Precautions and side effects

Vitamin C is generally safe and well-tolerated for most people. The maximum recommended dosage is up to 2000 mg per day.

Taking higher doses of vitamin C doesn’t produce any serious side effects, but it won’t absorb in the body and flush out through the excretory system. Overdoses may lead to some gastrointestinal discomforts such as stomach upset, nausea, and diarrhea. Some people may also experience kidney stones with excessively higher doses.

Final words

Vitamin C is an essential nutritional component as well as a powerful antioxidant that helps in many biological functions in the human body. Taking enough vitamin C through foods or dietary supplements is compulsory for maintaining overall bodily functions.

Besides, its antioxidant actions help improve semen quality in male adults and increase the fertilizing capacity of semen in infertile men.

However, it’s strongly recommended to consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner to analyze whether a vitamin C supplement is perfect for you.

Check out Vorst’s Vitamin C 500 Mg Tablets here.

Disclaimer – The information of this article is generic and not scientifically reviewed, hence cannot be used for therapeutic purposes.

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