Vitamin C Supplement, Does It Makes You Gain Weight?

“I’ve heard people say that taking vitamin C increases appetite, is that true? I’m afraid of gaining weight…”

When it comes to vitamin C, many of you are probably aware some of its benefits.

Most people would say it helps in boosting the immune system. As such, many take vitamin C as a protection against diseases.

However, some may claim that taking such supplements could increase your appetite.

So, is this true or not?

Let’s join me in delving the topic of nutritional, from various angles to uncover the answer.

WHAT IS VITAMIN C?

Before we go any further, let’s start with the basics information on vitamin C, to unravel the answer to the previous question.

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid. So, it falls under the category of water-soluble vitamins.

This means that it can dissolve in water and be transported to our body tissues for absorption.

However, our bodies don’t have the capacity to store (or produce) vitamin C on their own.

Consequently, any excess of the vitamin is excreted from the body, primarily through urine.

Therefore, we need to consume vitamin C in our daily diet.

(Trivia: Most animals can produce vitamin C on their own through a process called synthesis.)

FUNCTIONS AND BENEFITS OF VITAMIN C

Try to recall your science lessons from school. There was a topic on nutritional.

Who still remembers the functions and benefits of vitamin C?

“I hardly can remember.”

“I vaguely remember, but it’s been a while.”

“My teacher taught it, but I don’t fully understand.”

No worries. Let me explain again for our shared understanding and knowledge.

1. Supporting your immune system

Vitamin C helps stimulate the production of white blood cells known as lymphocytes and phagocytes. Both types of cells protect our bodies against infections.

Additionally, white blood cells also help fight off free radicals that enter our bodies. Free radicals are harmful molecules or atoms that can damage our body cells, leading to illness and accelerated aging.

Quoted and translated from Medical News Today’s website

Examples of common free radicals include cigarette or vape smoke, toxic chemicals, air pollution, UV radiation, and processed foods.

So, if you want to reduce the effects of free radicals on your body, make sure to consume vitamin C.

2. Enhancing your skin’s beauty

Vitamin C is excellent for achieving beautiful skin as it encourages collagen production in our bodies.

Naturally, our bodies produce less collagen as we age. This process commences as early as late twenties or thirties.

However, it could be accelerated if we don’t maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Some examples of the contributing factors include:

• Infrequent use of sunscreen when exposed to sunlight.
• Regular exposure to cigarette or vape smoke, even if you don’t smoke.
• Consumption of alcoholic beverages, especially for those who are addicted.
• Frequently not getting enough sleep, at least 7 hours per night.
• Easily becoming stressed, experiencing daily stress or depression.

When collagen decreases in our skin, it affects our skin’s condition.

This can result in the appearance of aging lines, loss of skin elasticity, slow healing of scars or acne, and the presence of freckles and dullness.

So, one way to reduce these issues is by ensuring an adequate intake of vitamin C in your diet.

3. Preventing anemia

Anemia occurs when a person has a deficiency of red blood cells.

One of the causes is the body’s inability to absorb iron properly. Iron comes from two types of sources: animal and plant-based.

Generally, our bodies can easily absorb iron from animal sources but not from plant-based sources.

Therefore, individuals who follow a meat-free diet, consume less meat, or vegan are at risk of experiencing this problem.

Some signs of anemia include;

• pale appearance,
• frequent fatigue and lack of energy,
• feeling cold, trembling and numbness,
• susceptibility to infections,
• frequent dizziness and irritability,
• abnormal heart rate,
• respiratory problems,
• and weight loss.

Therefore, individuals with anemia are usually advised by doctors to take vitamin C supplement as one of the treatment methods.

The supplement can enhance the absorption of iron in our body and address iron deficiency.

4. Maintaining joints health

Studies have shown that taking vitamin C can reduce the level of uric acid in the body, indirectly reducing the risk of gout attacks.

Gout occurs when the level of uric acid in our body is too high. Many people think that uric acid is only found in seafood such as crabs, shellfish, or shrimp.

However, that’s not entirely true.

Uric acid can also be found in legumes, high-sugar foods, red meat such as beef and lamb, organ meats, and processed foods.

Uric acid is a waste product produced by our bodies. If the level of uric acid is too high, it can crystallize and form in our joints.

When gout attacks, an individual experiences intense pain in the joints and making him difficult to move.

CAN VITAMIN C MAKE YOU GAIN WEIGHT & INCREASE APPETITE?

If we look at the functions and benefits of vitamin C, none of them mentioning about increasing of appetites.

Therefore, it does not cause weight gain in individuals.

However, there is a catch that you need to pay close attention to.

Some vitamin C supplements available in the market contain additional formula or ingredients. Among them is “lysine”.

What is “lysine”?

Lysine is an amino acid that helps increase an individual’s appetite.

If you or any family member takes a vitamin C supplement with lysine, it is not surprising to feel a constant desire to eat.

So, if you want to find a vitamin C supplement that does not increase appetite, make sure it does not contain lysine.

(Trivia: Shaklee’s vitamin C products like Sustained Release Vita-C Plus and Vita-C 250 mg Chewable Tablets do not contain lysine.)

BUT SOME PEOPLE GAIN WEIGHT EVEN WITHOUT LYSINE IN THEIR SUPPLEMENT, HOW IS THAT?

This gets a bit more technical. However, I will try to explain it in the simplest language possible.

There is a possibility that someone may gain weight after taking vitamin C, even it does not contain lysine.

Why such situation could happen?

Ok. There is a short point in the earlier paragraph that I mentioned about anemia which specifically pointed to… weight loss.

There are cases whereby weight loss occurs due to a deficiency of essential nutrients in an individual’s body.

This can be caused by either problems with nutrient absorption due to health status or an inadequate and unbalanced diet.

So, when someone experiences this problem and starts taking the supplement, it could possibly restoring the nutrient composition in their body.

This can contribute to weight gain in the individual. However, it does not lead to obesity or excessive weight gain.

If that happens, we need to adjust our diet to ensure it is healthy.

WHERE TO BUY SHAKLEE VITAMIN C?

Me and my family have been consistently taking Shaklee vitamin C supplement every day since 2012.

Over the years, we have experienced the effectiveness of the supplement, including:

• Experiencing fewer illnesses like fever and cold compared previously.
• If we do get sick with fever and cold, the symptoms are not as severe, and the recovery process is faster.
• Despite being 40s, my skin remains fresh. Issues such as dullness, freckles, and acne scars are significantly reduced compared to early marriage days.

So, you can also take Shaklee vitamin C and experience it’s benefit tremendously.

In Shaklee, there are two types of vitamin C, and both of them do not contain lysine:

• Vita-C 250mg Chewable Tablets
• Sustained Release Vita-C Plus

You may contact me, Aisah, at the following number: 017-6477837. Or click on this link to directly WhatsApp me:

www.wasap.my/0176477837/VitaminCShaklee

www.wasap.my/0176477837/VitaminCShaklee.

I will give you tips and proper intake methods when making a purchase from me.

Siti Aisah Mohd Ibrahim – Shaklee Distributor Subang Jaya.

I provide COD (Cash on Delivery) service for Shaklee in Subang Jaya, Shah Alam, Klang, Sungai Buloh, Petaling Jaya, Puchong, Putrajaya, Bukit Jalil, Sri Petaling & Bandar Saujana Putra.

If you are outside these areas, don’t worry. I can deliver directly to your address via courier.