Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for humans and certain other animal species. It creates a variety of necessary functions in the body including: boosting the immune system; maintaining healthy teeth and gums; healing cuts and wounds; optimizing eye health; enhancing the absorption of vital zinc and iron; and balancing health. But perhaps one of its most important functions is its role in the production of collagen.

How is vitamin C involved in collagen synthesis?

When collagen is produced, there is a complex series of events, some occurring inside of the cell, and some outside of the cell. Vitamin C is active inside of the cell, where it adds hydrogen and oxygen to two amino acids: proline and lysine. This helps form a precursor molecule called procollagen that is later packaged and modified into collagen outside of the cell. Without vitamin C, collagen formation is disrupted, causing your skin more susceptible to wrinkles, and maybe more susceptible to bruising as well.

What are the best sources of vitamin C?
Fresh fruits and vegetables are the main source of vitamin C. Orange, kiwifruit, grapefruit and blackcurrant are the most popular and well-known source of vitamin C. Blackberry, guava, lemon, papaya, pineapple, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, tomato and potato are also good sources of it.

Vitamin C supplements are also widely available on the market today. Our bHIP Energy Drink and Noni GIA are rich in vitamin C and good for health. You are recommended to take our LaCore Aedre Collagen together with these two products for optimum results.

The U.S. RDA for vitamin C ranges between 100–120 mg/per day for adults. It is a water-soluble vitamin, which the body cannot store. Excess is eliminated once the body has used up what it needs.