Why I take Vitamin C and Lysine
You probably already know the importance of vitamin C for immune health, especially in cold and flu season when you need to shore up your defenses. Now’s the time to start protecting yourself. If you’ve been reading my columns you know I also recommend high doses of vitamin C and lysine for heart health, joint health, teeth, gums, wound healing and more. The key is collagen. Vitamin C is required to manufacture healthy collagen, the glue that holds cells together, just like mortar is needed for bricks. Lysine, like steel rods in cement, makes collagen stronger. A lack of vitamin C and lysine results in poor collagen and weak arteries. Coronary arteries are under more pressure than any other artery in the body. The heart beats around 100,000 times every 24 hours and over 2 billion times if you live to 70 years of age. Without sufficient vitamin C and lysine this constant pounding causes minute cracks in collagen, resulting in atherosclerosis, blood clots or rupturing of a weakened artery, resulting in a stroke. Collagen keeps gums and cartilage healthy too – reducing tooth loss and painful joints. And if that doesn’t convince you, all the beauty experts will also tell you collagen helps keep skin looking youthful. To maintain optimal health, I recommend Medi-C Plus® with high dose vitamin C and lysine – just mix with your morning juice. It’s now available in two formulas – Calcium or Magnesium – both of which act as buffers to aid vitamin C absorption. I started taking high doses of vitamin C and lysine after my heart attack 20 years ago: I still enjoy travelling, writing my columns and I also rappelled down Toronto City Hall to help raise funds for Make-A-Wish® Canada this year. Not bad for 93!
Medi-C Plus is found exclusively at Health Food Retailers.