Why Vitamin C is Essential for Faster Healing and Why We Need More of It

Did you know that vitamin C deficiency occurs often in patients with infections, trauma, and cancer? And that surgery significantly depletes the body of vitamin C?  Let alone a combination of the above such as- a cancer patient undergoing curative surgery, or using surgery to help treat an infection such as appendicitis or an inflamed gallbladder? Vitamin C levels fall during these times because the stores in the body are used faster than can be replenished. Clearly, Vitamin C is important in a multitude of body functions, from immune health that fights infection and cancer, to collagen building for internal and external wound healing, to iron absorption, and handling stress. When healing internal and external wounds, vitamin C is used throughout the process, from the day the wound is created to over a year later when the wound finally finishes healing. It does this by attracting healing cells to the wounds that clean up the damage, followed by attracting the cells that build collagen and then adding to the collagen itself. It is also an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage, and an anti-inflammatory agent that protects from excess inflammation. Those vital aspects of recovering and healing from surgery are 100% dependent on vitamin C.

There are many foods with vitamin C, and when we are healthy we can get enough in our diet from fruits and vegetables. But only if we are eating fruits and vegetables! And when we are not our healthy selves, we often need more than we can consume! In either of these situations, we need a boost. We can try to focus more on eating those foods and we can also take a supplement until we are able to take in the needed amount through food. 

Contact me at info@centerforholisticsurgery.com and we can find a time to chat about how I can support you to your best surgical health.