Vitamin C Lowers Stroke Risk

(CARLSBAD, CA) – Good news! Vitamin C may not only be good for staving off a cold, it may actually reduce your potential risk for having a stroke.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a study that showed people with the highest levels of Vitamin C in their blood had a 42 percent lower risk of stroke than the people with the lowest Vitamin C levels. The evidence seems to indicate that Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, protects your body from free radicals, which can damage the tissue of your vital organs.

Since humans don’t make our own Vitamin C, then it’s necessary to get it from our diet. And since Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, and it can’t be stored in the body, then we need a sufficient intake of Vitamin C on a daily basis.

So, how much Vitamin C do you need? For a long time, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration has recommended a mere 60 milligrams of Vitamin C each day. Most experts now concur that this number is far too low. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study indicates that a minimum of six servings of the powerhouse vitamin are needed for maximum protection against strokes. Six servings equates to three cups or 250 milligrams of Vitamin C.

Of course, getting an adequate amount of Vitamin C is easier said than done. We all know that a cup of OJ packs a Vitamin C punch, but where else can you get this nutritional superstar? Judi Sheppard Missett, Jazzercise Founder and CEO, recommends these foods to maximize your intake of Vitamin C.

• Citrus Fruits – Lemons, Iimes, oranges, and other citrus fruits are an obvious choice. Just one orange provides 50 mg of Vitamin C.

• Strawberries – One cup of strawberries packs 95-100 mg of Vitamin C, more than one-third of your daily requirement.

• Tomato – The next time you’re at the deli, add a slice of tomato to your sandwich. One small tomato offers 25 mg of Vitamin C.

• Kiwi – Eat a couple of kiwi fruits, and you’ll up your Vitamin C intake by more than 110 mg. Mix the kiwi with a cup of strawberries, and you’ll have your daily regimen met.

• Broccoli – Broccoli is chock full of Vitamin C. Just one cup of the green veggies holds 90 mg of Vitamin C.

• Red Bell Peppers – Red bell peppers are one of the top dogs when it comes to Vitamin C. Just a single one boasts more than 150 mg. Orange and yellow peppers also fit the bill, but green peppers have only about half as much Vitamin C as their red counterparts.

• Potatoes – One small potato has about 25 mg of Vitamin C. Serve up a baked potato with some fresh, homemade salsa on top.

Jazzercise, created by Judi Sheppard Missett, is the world's leading dance-fitness program with more than 7,500 instructors teaching 32,000 classes weekly in the U.S. and around the globe. Since 1969, millions of people of all ages and fitness levels have reaped the benefits of this comprehensive program, designed to enhance cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility. For more information on Jazzercise go to jazzercise.com or call (800)FIT-IS-IT or (760)476-1750.

Courtesy of Jazzercise, Inc. - jazzercise.com