Vitamin C – The Fat Burning Vitamin

Thin people tend to consume more vitamin C, according to recent research. So, does vitamin C help you lose weight?

Vitamin C is an important nutrient and is involved in a number of bodily processes. For instance, vitamin C is required for the synthesis of l-carnitine. Fat burning cannot take place without l-carnitine.

The research suggests that a vitamin C shortage can lead to an inability to get rid of fat efficiently. That can really slow down weight loss!

Vitamin C is found mostly in fresh fruits and vegetables. Cooking and processing (like canning) destroys Vitamin C. Many experts feel that taking vitamin C supplements is a good idea, since it is difficult to get large amounts from foods. Some multivitamins only contain a meager 60 mg, the 1968 RDA. (Although the RDA was recently raised to 95 mg, this intake may still be too low.)

Most of us can benefit from increasing our daily intake of Vitamin C to 500 mg. or more. A multivitamin that provides extra C is a good idea.

The Vitamin C - Weight Loss Connection

Dr. Carol S. Johnston, a researcher from Arizona State University, has conducted some interesting research on Vitamin C and its affect on weight loss. Her intriguing studies involved college students and their abilities to lose weight.

Here are her findings:

  • Those students who only had marginal levels of vitamin C in their blood burned 25% less fat while walking on the treadmill compared to those who had an adequate intake. They also experienced more fatigue and did not tolerate the exercise as well as those who had adequate blood levels of vitamin C.
  • A lack of vitamin C may explain, in part, why some people have difficulty losing weight even though they are cutting calories.
  • In addition, exercisers who were given 500 mg vitamin C supplements daily increased fat oxidation 4-fold over those who had an “adequate” intake of vitamin C.
  • This research study suggests that vitamin C supplements may have the power to enhance weight loss and help you burn more fat. You may also have better exercise tolerance.

Dr. Johnston has made a thorough study of vitamin C. She has also found that more than 40% of adults are deficient in vitamin C intake from their diets. Those who were not deficient tended to eat more than 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, including at least one citrus fruit.

Dr. Parsons Recommends

In order to lose weight, fight infection, and have more energy:

  • Increase your consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, including citrus fruits
  • Take a vitamin C supplement of 500 – 1000 mg/day.

Look for a multivitamin that provides at least 500 mg/day of Vitamin C (many have less than 100 mg) or take an additional Vitamin C supplement.