Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid is one of the most well known vitamins out there. Who hasn't heard that you are supposed to take high doses of Vitamin C when you get a cold? And that oranges are great protection because of the vitamin C.

You have probably heard that sailors back in the 16th century used to catch scurvy because of a lack of vitamin C. But no one catches scurvy any more, right? So, why is it so important, and where can you get it.

Vitamin C is one of the most powerful antioxidants known to man. Antioxidants are used to fight free radical damage in the body. Free radical damage is attributed to cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease and stroke. According to some theories, free radicals are actually responsible for all of the signs of aging, not to mention the degenerative diseases that come with it. That means that ascorbic acid is a great way to prevent disease and may slow down the affects of aging.

In addition to its strong antioxidant properties ascorbic acid strengthens the structure of your arteries. It can also help to lower bad cholesterol and blood pressure. Like we discussed earlier, ascorbic acid has a positive affect on your overall health and can help fight the common cold and other conditions by strengthening the immune system.

The "problem" with ascorbic acid is that it is water soluble. Because of this property, it cannot be stored in the body for long. It needs to be replenished each day.

Fortunately, there are a number of ways to get this powerful nutrient into your system. Some of the foods that are high in ascorbic acid are red peppers, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage. It is also high in fruits such as Acai berries, oranges, strawberries and black currants. There are many other fruits and vegetables that contain high levels of ascorbic acid.

In addition, if you do not get enough fruits and vegetables in your diet, it is very easy to add a Vitamin C supplement.

Vitamin C is one of life’s most critical nutrients. It is valuable in preventing many diseases, and fortunately it is easy to add to your diet.

But, excessive doses of it have been shown to cause kidney problems, so you should not "over indulge". It can also cause diarrhea and nausea. This is especially true when taking ascorbic acid as a supplement. You should definitely talk to your doctor or nutritionist before adding high amounts to your diet.

You already know that antioxidants are a powerful way to fight disease. Vitamin C is one of the best antioxidants on the market today.