Clomid Raises Testosterone

Clomid Raises Testosterone

Indian J Urol. 2017 Jul-Sep; 33(3): 236–240.

Testosterone versus clomiphene citrate in managing symptoms of hypogonadism in men

Pranav Dadhich

Scott Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA

Ranjith Ramasamy

¹Department of Urology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA

Jason Scovell

Scott Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA

Nathan Wilken

Scott Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA

Larry Lipshultz

Scott Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA

Received 2016 Nov 16; Accepted 2017 Feb 18.

This article has been cited by other articles in PMC.

Abstract

Introduction:

Both clomiphene citrate (CC) and testosterone supplementation therapy (TST) are effective treatments for men with hypogonadism. We sought to compare changes in symptoms and treatment efficacy in hypogonadal men before and after receiving CC and TST.

Patients and Methods:

52 men who received TST and 23 men who received CC for symptomatic hypogonadism were prospectively followed for change in hormone levels and symptoms after treatment. These men were also compared to eugonadal men who were not on CC or TST during the same period. Comparisons were made between baseline and posttreatment hormone levels and symptoms. Symptoms were evaluated using the androgen deficiency in aging male (ADAM) and quantitative ADAM (qADAM) questionnaires.

Results:

Serum total testosterone increased from pretreatment levels in all men (P < 0.05), regardless of therapy type (TST: 281–541 ng/dL, CC: 235.5–438 ng/dL). Men taking TST reported fewer ADAM symptoms after treatment (5–2, P < 0.05). Similarly, men taking CC reported fewer ADAM symptoms after treatment (3.5–1.5, P < 0.05). Conversely, eugonadal men had similar T levels (352 vs. 364 ng/dL) and hypogonadal symptoms (1.5 vs. 1.4) before and after follow-up. When we evaluated individual symptoms, men treated with TST showed significant increases in qADAM scores in libido, erectile function, and sports performance. However, among the men who received CC, qADAM subscore for libido was lower following treatment (3.75–3.2, P = 0.04), indicating that CC could have an adverse effect on libido in hypogonadal men.

Conclusions:

Both TST and CC are effective medications in treating hypogonadism; however, our study indicates that TST is more effective in raising serum testosterone levels and improving hypogonadal symptoms. CC remains a viable treatment modality for hypogonadal men but its adverse effect on libido warrant further study.

INTRODUCTION

Idiopathic age-related decline in testosterone in adult men is common, currently affecting close to 40% of adult males aged 45 and older.[1] Symptoms associated with decline in testosterone are often assessed using questionnaires such as the androgen deficiency in the aging male (ADAM) and quantitative ADAM (qADAM).[2,3] Lack of energy, erectile dysfunction, diminished libido, and a decrease in concentration are common symptoms in men with testosterone decline.[4,5,6] Although symptoms are a critical part of the definition of clinically relevant hypogonadism, there is a dearth of studies evaluating the effect of testosterone therapy on hypogonadal symptoms.[7]

Clomiphene citrate (CC) is frequently used off-label for the treatment of hypogonadism in men who wish to preserve reproductive function.[8,9] CC is a selective estrogen receptor modulator. Through modulation of estrogen receptors at the hypothalamus and pituitary, CC antagonizes the negative feedback of estradiol, thereby enhancing the release of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Increase in LH subsequently raises serum testosterone levels through its action on Leydig cells in the testis.[10] CC can, theoretically, improve hypogonadal symptoms while maintaining testosterone levels for up to 3 years.[11] As expected, other studies have reported that men receiving CC had an increase in serum levels of testosterone, FSH, and LH.[12]

In a cross-sectional retrospective age-matched analysis, we have previously demonstrated that men receiving testosterone injections had higher serum testosterone levels compared to those taking CC.[11] Nevertheless, both men receiving CC and testosterone injections reported similar baseline hypogonadal symptoms. Our cross-sectional analysis was unable to address whether testosterone supplementation and CC would improve specific hypogonadal symptoms. Therefore, we performed a prospective cohort study comparing hypogonadal symptoms and treatment efficacy in men receiving testosterone supplementation therapy (TST) and CC. A control group of eugonadal men, who did not receive TST or CC, was included to improve the validity of the study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

After approval from the Institutional Review Board, we assessed hypogonadal symptoms using the ADAM and qADAM questionnaire. The standard ADAM questionnaire consists of ten "yes or no" questions concerning symptoms of androgen deficiency (range 0–10). The qADAM questionnaire builds on the "ADAM" questionnaire using the same ten equally weighted questions from the original document but utilizes a Likert scale of 1–5 to quantify each response rather than a yes or no answer. Through quantification, the magnitude of particular symptoms can be assessed. qADAM scores range from 10 to 50, and higher scores indicate less severe hypogonadal symptoms; however, no particular threshold score is known to accurately diagnose hypogonadism.

Our study group included 52 men on TST and 23 men on CC. All men had two separate values of early morning total serum testosterone <300 ng/dL associated with ≥3 hypogonadal symptoms verified on the ADAM questionnaire. Men who complained of infertility alone were excluded because fertility treatment alone could impair libido and erectile function. We also excluded men with secondary hypogonadism (below normal LH and FSH). Men received CC if they wanted to preserve fertility during treatment of hypogonadal symptoms. The goal of therapy was symptom improvement rather than a target threshold level of testosterone.

During the same study period, 52 eugonadal men who were not receiving TST or CC were included as a control group for comparison. These men underwent hormone estimation and were treated for benign urological conditions such as erectile dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms. These eugonadal men were not receiving TST or CC.

Of the men on TST, 27 received testosterone injections and 25 men received testosterone gel. We previously reported hormone levels and symptoms (ADAM questionnaire alone) on the 52 men that received TST.[7] We report the individual subscores on the qADAM questionnaire in men who received TST in this study and compare them to men who received CC during the same period.

Treatment efficacy was evaluated by comparing pre- and post-treatment serum testosterone levels. Pre- and post-treatment values were determined at the same visit that ADAM and qADAM questionnaires were completed. Testosterone and estradiol were measured by radioimmunoassay using the Access^® 2 Immunoassay System. Since there is known time-related variability in serum testosterone concentration in men on testosterone injections, samples were collected during the scheduled patient follow-up visit with no special concern for the timing of the last injection. Variability in levels was obviated by the random nature of the draw and the number of patients surveyed. Data were analyzed using Excel^® and IBM SPSS (IBM SPSS Statistics 21, Armonk, NY, USA). All values are shown as the mean ± standard deviation. The Mann–Whitney test was used to evaluate differences between groups with P ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Men receiving CC were younger than men taking TST (36 vs. 51, P = 0.01). Testosterone levels increased in men who received CC and TST (CC: 235–438 ng/dL, P < 0.05; TST: 231–541 ng/dL, P < 0.05). As expected, men who received TST had a larger and significant increase (delta) in average serum testosterone (310 ng/dL) compared to men taking CC (233 ng/dL, P = 0.04). Nevertheless, change in estradiol levels were similar between both men who received CC and men who received TST (3.5 ng/dL vs. 3.6 ng/dL, P = 0.87).

Both cohorts who received CC and TST had improvements in hypogonadal symptoms using the ADAM (CC: 3.5 vs. 1.5; TST: 5.0 vs. 2.0, P < 0.05) and qADAM questionnaire (CC: 30.7–32.5; TST: 32–36, P < 0.05). While both men on CC and TST had improvements in hypogonadal symptoms, men on TST experienced greater symptom resolution as measured by qADAM [Table 1]. This increase in qADAM indicates that patients on TST displayed a significant quantifiable improvement in symptoms and experience less severe hypogonadal symptoms than men taking CC. Conversely, eugonadal men had similar T levels (352 vs. 364 ng/dL) and hypogonadal symptoms (1.5 vs. 1.4) before and after follow-up.

Table 1

Comparison of characteristics of men receiving clomiphene citrate versus testosterone supplementation therapy

When we evaluated individual symptoms, men treated with TST showed significant increases in qADAM scores in libido (2.74–3.70, P ≤ 0.001), energy (2.54–3.35, P ≤ 0.001), strength (2.19–3.44, P ≤ 0.001), enjoyment (3.36–3.80, P ≤ 0.001), overall happiness (3.24–3.59, P = 0.011), erectile function (2.62–3.29, P = 0.001), work performance (3.37–3.68, P = 0.035), tendency to fall asleep (2.10–1.65, P = 0.003), and sports performance (2.86–3.20, P = 0.025). There were no differences in qADAM scores between the different TST modalities. Patients receiving CC only showed a significant benefit with respect to sports performance (3.14–3.57, P = 0.035). Remarkably, among the men who received CC, the qADAM subscore for libido was lower following treatment (3.75–3.2, P = 0.04), indicating that CC could have an adverse effect on libido in hypogonadal men. No other subscores on the qADAM demonstrated a significant change in men who received CC [Table 2].

Table 2

Comparison of quantitative androgen deficiency in the aging male scores before and after therapy with clomiphene citrate and testosterone

DISCUSSION

Our study on the effects of TST and CC on patient outcomes (hormone levels and symptoms) has confirmed that both TST and CC are efficacious in treating hypogonadism; however, the magnitude of treatment effect seen in males who received TST was better. Our analysis showed that patients receiving TST achieved greater increases in serum testosterone and better symptom resolution (higher qADAM scores) compared to those who were treated with CC. On further analysis of the qADAM subscores, our study described significant increases in all categories assessed aside from height after treatment with TST, whereas men who received treatment with CC reported improved sports ability but worse libido.

The association between hypogonadal symptoms and serum testosterone levels has been well documented. The previous investigation by the European Male Aging Study group delineated a significant inverse correlation between serum testosterone levels and the presence of poor morning erections, low sexual desire, and erectile dysfunction.[6] Recent retrospective investigation shows that patients treated with either TST or CC reported similar hypogonadal symptoms; on average patients receiving CC, testosterone injections and gels reported total qADAM of 35, 39, and 36, respectively.[11]

The results of this current study show that even though patients prescribed CC had an increase in overall qADAM score, patients reported a significant decrease in libido. The etiology of this CC effect on libido has not been fully elucidated, but it is theorized that modulation of the estrogen receptor could have negative effects on libido. Estrogen, despite widely considered a "female" hormone, remains important to maintain libido in men.[13] However, modulation of the estrogen receptor by CC can impair estrogen's action and subsequently cause impaired sex drive.[13] Although CC is effective in improving overall hypogonadal symptoms, CC appears, in this study, to negatively affect libido. Larger studies are needed to validate the effect of CC on libido.

Although a prospective study design was created to explore the subtle differences of hypogonadal therapy, there are some limitations to the study. The first limitation to address is potential ambiguity regarding the impetus for therapy with CC. Men utilizing CC were younger, reported higher pretreatment libido scores, and used CC to aid with both hypogonadism as well as to preserve fertility rather than treat hypogonadal symptoms alone, thus creating a disconnect between the rationale of TST versus CC treatment. Nevertheless, men with infertility and low testosterone appear to report hypogonadal symptoms similar to men without infertility.[14] The ADAM and qADAM questionnaires are validated for cross-sectional comparison of serum testosterone and hypogonadal symptoms. Since there are no questionnaires that are universally validated to study the change in hypogonadal symptoms, we used ADAM and qADAM questionnaires that are commonly used and easy to administer in clinic.[15] Given the nonparametric nature of the data, power analysis would have been difficult to perform and potentially inaccurate due to reliance on data simulation; however, the utility of this analysis is apparent and will be incorporated in the further analysis. Another limitation and challenge of this study were the lack of an a priori power calculation. However, we anticipate this data will serve as a reference to determine sample size in future work comparing TST and CC for hypogonadal symptoms. Multiple hypothesis testing was not performed at this time due hypothesis-generating nature of the study.

The sample size of patients is not large, often secondary to the intent of the patients, as patients with no desire to preserve fertility tend to prefer TST therapy as they are not as familiar with CC. The study utilizes 2:1 allocation and although not ideal, is acceptable given the nature of the study.

Hypogonadal symptoms are subjective, which can complicate patient diagnosis and identify success with treatment. One confounding factor is that patient satisfaction may vary based on psychological perceptions about potential benefits conferred from therapy. Perceptions regarding the type of therapy prescribed could also have impacted patient's expectations. Outcomes could also have been further impacted by preexisting medical comorbidities as these variables were not explicitly factored into the analysis. The difference between follow-up times is different and may suggest differences in patient satisfaction between the two therapies, although this interpretation was not explored in this current study. Because there exists a large number of young men, who present with hypogonadal symptoms but need preservation of fertility, a better understanding about the benefit or lack thereof for alternative treatment options will be important when providing and discussing treatment options for this population.

CONCLUSIONS

Both TST and CC are effective medications in treating hypogonadism; however, our study indicates that TST is more effective in raising serum testosterone levels and improving hypogonadal symptoms. CC remains a viable treatment modality but its adverse effect on libido merits further study.

Footnotes

Financial support and sponsorship: Nil.

Conflicts of interest: There are no conflicts of interest.

REFERENCES

1. Mulligan T, Frick MF, Zuraw QC, Stemhagen A, McWhirter C. Prevalence of hypogonadism in males aged at least 45 years: The HIM study. Int J Clin Pract. 2006;60:762–9. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

2. Morley JE, Charlton E, Patrick P, Kaiser FE, Cadeau P, McCready D, et al. Validation of a screening questionnaire for androgen deficiency in aging males. Metabolism. 2000;49:1239–42. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

3. Mohamed O, Freundlich RE, Dakik HK, Grober ED, Najari B, Lipshultz LI, et al. The quantitative ADAM questionnaire: A new tool in quantifying the severity of hypogonadism. Int J Impot Res. 2010;22:20–4. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

4. Bhasin S, Cunningham GR, Hayes FJ, Matsumoto AM, Snyder PJ, Swerdloff RS, et al. Testosterone therapy in adult men with androgen deficiency syndromes: An endocrine society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006;91:1995–2010. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

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Clomid Raises Testosterone

Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5508437/

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Linus Pauling Vitamin C And Cancer

Linus Pauling Vitamin C And Cancer

Photo Courtesy: The Good Brigade/DigitalVision/Getty Images

Hepatitis is a condition that causes inflammation of your liver. Currently, there are an estimated 6 million people living with hepatitis in the United States, and more than 50,000 people are diagnosed with this disease every year. There are three primary types of hepatitis, and while their symptoms can be similar, they vary largely in the ways they're transmitted. Learning more about each type of hepatitis can help you better understand the condition as a whole.

Hepatitis A is the most easily transmitted of the three viruses. It affects approximately 2,500 people every year in the United States. It typically spreads through feces-contaminated food or water and is found in the feces of people who have the virus. Hepatitis A causes a short-term, acute sickness that most people heal from without treatment. However, it can cause serious illness in some people. This virus is more common in places with underdeveloped sanitation systems.

While doctors can't treat hepatitis A with medication, people who get this virus can manage its symptoms with fluids, rest and good nutrition. There's also a safe and effective vaccine available to protect you against hepatitis A.

What Is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B can occur both acutely (meaning it develops quickly and lasts a short time) and chronically (meaning it develops slowly over time and worsens over months or years). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up to 2 million people in the United States are chronically affected with hepatitis B. Hepatitis B can be transmitted through sexual activity and exposure to infected blood. It can also be passed from a parent to their newborn child during birth.

Hepatitis B usually causes short-term discomfort that many people recover from completely after about four to eight weeks. However, it can turn into a chronic condition that lasts for years; this is more likely in older adults. Doctors can treat severe chronic hepatitis B with antiviral medications. However, in most cases, treatments focus on proper hydration and nutrition. There's a safe vaccine available to protect you against hepatitis B, too.

What Is Hepatitis C?

Photo Courtesy: BSIP/Getty Images

Approximately 4 million people in the United States are affected with hepatitis C. This form of hepatitis causes a chronic illness in over 50% of people who get this type of the virus. It's the least transmissible of the three viruses and can spread through contact with infected blood.

Hepatitis C occurs more commonly in people who engage in intravenous drug use. If you received a blood transfusion before 1992, you should also get tested for hepatitis C if you haven't previously. Hepatitis C can spread through unprotected sexual intercourse, but this is a less common way to transmit it. While there's no vaccine for chronic hepatitis C, treatments that are available today offer a 95% cure rate.

Chronic hepatitis C can significantly affect how your liver works. It can cause cirrhosis, which means that your normal liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue. It can also cause liver cancer. However, there are medications that can help keep this disease in check. Making lifestyle changes, such as reducing or eliminating alcohol from your diet, can also decrease your chances of experiencing complications. In severe cases, hepatitis C may require a liver transplant.

The varying forms of viral hepatitis affect millions of people in the United States. Chronic hepatitis often has few symptoms in its early stages, so recognizing the associated dangers and getting tested if you've been exposed may save your life. Although there are five types of viral hepatitis, only A, B and C are the forms commonly found in the United States.

Resource Links:

"Hepatitis A, B, and C: Learn the Differences," Immunization Action Coalition

"What's the Difference Between Hepatitis A, B and C?," UNC Health Talk

"The ABCs of Hepatitis," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

"What's the Difference: Hepatitis B vs Hepatitis C?," Hepatitis B Foundation

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Linus Pauling Vitamin C And Cancer

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Iv Vitamin C Drip

Iv Vitamin C Drip

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These Are The 6 Best Vitamin C Serums For Brighter, Clearer Skin

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There's never a bad time to amp up your skin care regimen's sun protection defenses. Whether you're looking to keep your skin safe from future signs of sun damage or help reduce the appearance of damage that's already been done (aka sun spots), incorporating one of the best vitamin C serums into your beauty routine can help.

In an ingredients list, you'll most likely find vitamin C listed as l-ascorbic acid, which experts agree is the most effective form of vitamin C, along with tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate. You'll also want to pay attention to the concentration level of the vitamin C, as something between 10 and 20 percent is said to be the most stable, and therefore, the most effective when it comes to protecting the skin and improving its overall tone and texture.

While you can certainly apply your vitamin C serum at night, to reap its full sun-protecting benefits, apply it in the morning after cleansing, and before you moisturize and layer on your SPF (which, yes, you still need to wear). You'll also want to be careful about using your vitamin C serum after any cleansers, treatments, or moisturizers that contain salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or retinol, as this can heighten common side effects that come with these ingredients, like burning and redness (especially if you have sensitive skin).

It's also worth noting that vitamin C is a delicate ingredient because it degrades from sun exposure. Because of this, you'll want to store your serum away from the sunlight and be on the lookout for any changes in its color, texture, or smell. A serum packaged in a darker bottle is also ideal, as it helps minimize the product's exposure to sunlight.

Ahead, you'll find six of the best vitamin C serums that are all Amazon user-approved to brighten, protect, and firm your skin.

1

The Best Serum For Vitamin C Newbies

This K-beauty favorite serum contains a mild dose of 5 percent vitamin C to allow your skin to accustom itself with the active ingredient. While that's still enough to notice the brightening and skin tone-evening benefits, the smaller percentage means its also gentler and less likely to irritate skin. Reviewers love its lightweight texture and say a little goes a long way, so you only need a couple of drops. Some have even had luck with using it on their bodies to help fade unwanted scars.

Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Serum is also an Amazon-user favorite with hundreds of five-star reviews. "I used this product for a few months and then switched to one with a higher percentage of Vitamin C only to find that it didn't work nearly as well," writes one reviewer. "I'm back to using Klairs and am so impressed by the positive change I see in my skin when I use it — it's brighter, smoother, and more even — even though it's a mild product."

The only downside with this serum is that, since it comes in a clear bottle, you'll want to be extra careful with storing it somewhere away from the sun.

2

The Best Vitamin C Serum For Sensitive Skin

If you have sensitive skin, you might have luck with the low-concentration Klairs option, above. But it does contain a few ingredients that some particularly sensitive skin types negatively react to, like propylene glycol. For a super safe, all natural pick, try this all-natural pick from Mad Hippie. It uses vitamin C in the form of sodium ascorbyl phosphate, which is said to cause less irritation and reduce the risk of oxidation. Mad Hippie formulated this serum with other complementary ingredients, like vitamin E and ferulic acid, which both improve and protect the skin from damaging free radicals. And ferulic acid also helps stabilize both vitamins C and E, so that they're even more effective. To keep skin moisturized, hyaluronic acid is included in the formula, while konjac root and chamomile extract work to protect and soothe the skin. There's also a dose of clary sage, which acts as a natural toner and astringent.

"I have very sensitive skin and normally I cannot use vitamin C serums at all," writes a reviewer. "This one does not sting or burn at all." Another user notes, "Within a week or so, I saw a smoother texture to my skin. By the end of the bottle, my skin looked smoother, brighter, and three darker spots on my face [from sun damage] were at least 80 percent lighter."

3

A Vitamin C Serum That Produces An Instant Glow

Yes, all vitamin C serums brighten the skin with continued use, but The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost Instant Smoother also leaves skin glowing directly after you apply it, thanks to the tiny mineral glowing particles it contains. Long-term brightening, protecting, and collagen-boosting effects come from ascorbic acid and the vitamin C-packed camu camu berries that The Body Shop has hand harvested by local collectors on the riverbanks of the Amazon River. Vitamin E provides the skin with more protection against environmental aggressors as it softens, and Community Fair Trade Brazil nut oil further moisturizes the skin. Additionally, dimethicone and glycerin give the serum a smooth texture that helps to blur pores and even out skin tone, making this a great primer, too.

4

The Best Vitamin C Serum For Acne-Prone Skin

This serum might be a bit of a splurge, but its powerful formula means serious results. The brand works with a team of assorted experts to develop each product, including geneticists, biologists, and physicians. For their iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance+, they developed a vitamin C combo that works for all skin types, including acne-prone. Time-released vitamin C means prolonged antioxidant protection, while vitamins E and A contribute even more antioxidant benefits. iS Clinical included inflammation-reducing zinc sulfate, blemish-preventing kojic acid, and nourishing olive leaf extract to combat signs of acne while helping to prevent future breakouts.

5

The Best Drugstore Vitamin C Serum

For a more affordable option, e.l.f's Beauty Shield Vitamin C Pollution Prevention Serum costs less than $20. Despite its low price, the serum still contains your vitamin C, as well as vitamin E and pomegranate extract, which provides even more vitamin C benefits. You'll also notice glycerin and hyaluronic acid on the ingredients list to leave the skin smooth and moisturized. It's even cruelty-free and vegan, and formulated without parabens, sulfates, or phthalates.

6

The Best Vitamin C Booster Powder

If you're into DIY beauty (or you just want to customize your vitamin C application), a vitamin C booster powder, like the Resurrection Beauty L-Ascorbic Acid Powder, is the perfect choice. This jar solely contains vitamin C in the form of l-ascorbic acid, which is meant to be dissolved in water or witch hazel before being added into your favorite hydrating serum. It can even be added to your nightly moisturizer, sunscreen, or body lotion. Because you're mixing this yourself, you can start with a lower concentration of vitamin C, like 5 percent, and work your way up to 20 percent (the maximum amount recommended) as your skin learns to tolerate it.

Many Amazon reviewers share the different ways they use this powder to make custom treatments. "How terrific to find cosmetic grade vitamin C to make my own solution," one raves. "All skin care experts claim this is the best for anti-aging, however very unstable. This fixes the problem and at an reasonable price. I just mix small batches to last for a week. And in just a few weeks I can see the difference in my skin." Another recommends mixing it with aloe-vera for a skin-soothing and brightening mask.

Bustle may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was created independently from Bustle's editorial and sales departments.

Iv Vitamin C Drip

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How Much Vitamin C In Acerola Cherry

How Much Vitamin C In Acerola Cherry

A Guide to Vitamin C Serums

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For 70 years Vitamin C has been one of the biggest weapons in the skin care industry. It's used to make cleansers, moisturizers, lotions, masks, and serums. So what is this powerful vitamin? How can it benefit you? Why should you use serums that contain Vitamin C? We're here to answer all of those burning questions in this complete guide and reveal the many benefits Vitamin C serums offer for your skin.

What Are Vitamin C Serums?

There are many variations of Vitamin C, but the most popular is ascorbic acid, a common ingredient in skincare products. However, all the variations of Vitamin C have anti-inflammatory benefits.

Vitamin C Serums are products that contain a high level of Vitamin C. They're used to treat wrinkles, sagging skin, lighten dark or red spots, prevent breakouts and even your skin tone. Basically, they battle all of those annoying skin issues. There are loads of products out there that claim they'll save your skin, but some can cause damage. Vitamin C is one of the most revered ingredients and conclusive research has shown how effective it can be.

How Are Vitamin C Serums Made?

Well so far we've talked about how incredible Vitamin C is and it sounds like a dream come true doesn't it? It's not all good. In fact, the mighty vitamin is unstable when it's exposed to air and light. Other ingredients need to be used to stabilize it and allow it to deliver amazing results. The serums are combined with ferulic acid and Vitamin E. According to researchers the perfect mixture is 15% Vitamin C with 1% Vitamin E and 0.5% ferulic acid. This makes Vitamin C perform to the best of its abilities, without damaging your skin.

What Does Vitamin C Serum Do for Your Face?

Boosts Collagen Production: Collagen keeps your skin firm and prevents sagging. Environmental factors such as lifestyle choices and pollution can increase the elasticity of your skin, so it's important you try to increase your collagen production.

Hydrates Your Skin: Dry skin is a common issue, but Vitamin C can help to give your skin that much-needed moisture boost. Remember, it doesn't work immediately so you need to keep applying the serum to see results.

Brightens Your Complexion: Dark spots on your skin are caused by the overproduction of melanin. Vitamin C decreases the production and lightens the dark spots to even out your complexion.

Reduces Redness and Inflammation: Conditions such as Rosacea leave many people searching for a magic cure. Vitamin C helps facial redness and inflammation by reducing the appearance of broken capillaries.

Why Should You Be Using Vitamin C Serum?

Don't think Vitamin C serums are just beneficial for your face. They can also shield you from sun damage and reduce stretch marks.

Saves You From The Sun: Prolonged exposure to UV rays can cause long-term damage to your skin. Luckily, Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that reduces red sports and prevents sunburn from spreading.

Fades Acne Scars: Acne plagues most of us at some point and we look forward to being free. Most of us get stuck with some scars but Vitamin C helps to fade scars and even out any discoloration.

Reduces Stretch Marks: Yes, Vitamin C serum can even help prevent those unsightly stretch marks by tightening your skin.

Are you ready to change your skin? Add a Vitamin C serum to your beauty regimen and enjoy a glowing complexion.

How Much Vitamin C In Acerola Cherry

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High Dose Vitamin C For Crps

High Dose Vitamin C For Crps

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Whether in the form of a fizzy drink or flavored lozenges, cold and flu preventative supplements almost always highlight vitamin C as one of their key ingredients. So, what's so magical about vitamin C? Also known as ascorbic acid, vitamin C is critical to living healthily. Since the human body cannot spontaneously generate this nutrient, vitamin C must instead be absorbed from outside sources, such as vitamin supplements or foods that are naturally rich in it.

Commonly found in cold and flu preventative supplements, vitamin C strengthens and speeds up immune system functionality. Though research does not indicate that vitamin C intake alone can prevent the onset of cold or flu, adequate daily intake may shorten the duration of an infection or lessen the severity of symptoms.

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Vitamin C is crucial for the maintenance of well being. For example, it plays a role in wound healing and helps maintain many essential body tissues. It also acts as a potent antioxidant and can repair damage from free radicals, which are linked to aging effects, and disease vulnerability. Additionally, vitamin C can also prevent anemia, since it helps the body increase absorption of dietary iron, another vital mineral that the body cannot spontaneously create.

Foods that contain high concentrations of vitamin C have been linked with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, like heart attack and stroke. Vitamin C can also increase levels of nitric oxide, a compound that widens blood vessels and, in turn, lowers blood pressure. In addition, regular intake of vitamin C, along with other vitamins, has been linked to a decreased risk for developing age-related cataracts, a leading cause of visual impairment in the United States.

Common Sources of Vitamin C

Vitamin C can be easily obtained through the many different foods, including:

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• Citrus fruits and juices (orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime and tangerine)
• Berries
• Melons
• Mangoes
• Kiwi
• Tomato
• Broccoli
• Red peppers
• Spinach
• Squash
• Potatoes

Cooking these foods may result in the loss of some of the vitamin content, so it is ideal to ingest them raw, either whole or juiced. Nowadays, there are also numerous packaged food products, like cereals, that have been enriched and fortified with vitamin C, so that the nutrient can be easily obtained.

Vitamin C may also be labeled as "L-ascorbic acid" in supplement form, and most over-the-counter multivitamins contain the recommended daily amount of the vitamin. While it is a good source when an individual is in need of a vitamin C boost, supplements are not meant to replace a diet rich in naturally derived vitamin C.

What Happens When You Have Too Much — or Too Little — Vitamin C?

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that can be easily flushed out of the body via urination when it is not needed. Therefore, if the main source of vitamin C is from naturally occurring foods, it is near-impossible for excess vitamin C to produce side effects. However, taking excessive concentrated vitamin C supplements may lead to diarrhea or stomach upset.

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Since vitamin C-rich foods are so readily available nowadays, symptoms of inadequate vitamin C intake are also rare in the United States. However, malnourished individuals can experience symptoms of vitamin C deficiency over time, including:

• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Anemia
• Easy bruising
• Joint pain
• Skin breakdown
• Weakened tooth enamel
• Gum inflammation

Severe vitamin C deficiency is referred to as scurvy. Scurvy can be easily treated with increased dietary or supplemental vitamin C. Since vitamin C is crucial in the detoxification of the body, a lack of vitamin C can compromise the immune system and make an individual more susceptible to diseases and infections. Individuals with insufficient vitamin C may find that it takes longer than usual to recover from a cold or a physical wound.

Daily Dosage Recommendations:

The daily dosage recommendation for vitamin C is different for everyone, depending on factors such as gender, age, lifestyle and current health condition. The recommended daily dosage for vitamin C is at least 75 mg daily for women and 90 mg for men. Since people who are pregnant, breast feeding, smoking or using oral contraceptives have a lower blood level of vitamin C than others, larger doses of vitamin C may be needed to achieve optimal results in these individuals. Those who have prior or current medical conditions may also require bigger or smaller dosage levels, as recommended by their healthcare providers.

Resource Links:

• "Vitamin C" via MedlinePlus
• "Vitamin C and Infections" via MDPI
• "Extra Dose of Vitamin C Based on a Daily Supplementation Shortens the Common Cold: A Meta-Analysis of 9 Randomized Controlled Trials" via Hindawi, BioMed Research International
• "Vitamin C" via National Institutes of Health
• "Scurvy" via U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, National Institutes of Health
• "Dietary intake and blood concentrations of antioxidants and the risk of cardiovascular disease, total cancer, and all-cause mortality: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies" via The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
• "Dietary vitamin and carotenoid intake and risk of age-related cataract" via The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
• "Cardiovascular System" via Department of Anatomy, Seoul National University College of Medicine (via Springer)

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High Dose Vitamin C For Crps

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Fruits High In Vitamin A And C

Fruits High In Vitamin A And C

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Vitamin A should be an integral part of every person's diet. It plays vital roles in your body by helping to maintain your vision, skin health and even your immune system's ability to work properly. But it's important to consume the right amount; vitamin A can be harmful when your body gets too much of it. Learn more about vitamin A, including what it does, where to find it and what happens when you get too much of it.

Vitamin A is actually a group of fat-soluble vitamins like retinol, retinal and retinyl esters, all of which have various health benefits. Vitamin A is particularly important in the maintenance of vision — especially your ability to see in low light. Your body converts this vitamin to retinal, which combines with other molecules to form rhodopsin. This is the protein principally responsible for your eyes' absorption of light. If you're worried about your vision getting worse over time, make sure you get enough vitamin A. It's a good way to strengthen your sight naturally.

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Consuming sufficient amounts of vitamin A can also work wonders for your immune system. Vitamin A promotes the production of white blood cells, particularly T cells, which eliminate viruses and bacteria from your body. Vitamin A also stimulates the production of special T cells called regulatory T cells. These help to reduce the risk of your body attacking its own healthy cells, which is what happens with some autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, vitamin A fortifies the linings of your respiratory, intestinal and urinary tracts, along with your skin and mucous membranes. It also sends additional immune cells there to prevent bacteria from entering your body and causing an infection.

Vitamin A is also involved in the maintenance of healthy skin by helping immature skin cells age properly into mature skin cells. It reduces sebum production, which can be problematic in oily skin. In fact, Isotretinoin is a common prescription-only vitamin A derivative used as a treatment for acne.

Vitamin A can also contribute to improved bone growth, cell division and cell differentiation. It even promotes reproduction and is a healthy supplement for people who are breastfeeding.

Food Sources of Vitamin A

Vitamin A is quite easy to come by naturally. Many of the most basic staples in our diets — meat, eggs, milk and cheese, for example — are excellent sources of vitamin A. Other specific animal sources have high vitamin A levels as well, such as kidney and liver. However, it's important to note that some of these foods have high cholesterol and saturated fat levels, so be sure to keep a healthy balance of these in your diet if you choose to eat them.

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Vitamin A exists as either preformed vitamin A or as provitamin A carotenoids. Preformed vitamin A is found in animal and dairy sources. Provitamin A carotenoids include beta-carotene and alpha-carotene, which your body converts into vitamin A and other derivatives. Beta-carotene is found in foods like carrots, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, cantaloupes, grapefruits, spinach, broccoli and apricots. As a general rule, the more vibrant the color of a fruit or vegetable is, the more beta-carotene it contains. As a bonus, you won't have to worry about the fat or cholesterol content in these foods.

Side Effects of Too Much Vitamin A

Getting the right amount of vitamin A in your diet shouldn't have any negative side effects. However, a vitamin A deficiency can lead to health issues over time. If you don't get enough vitamin A, you could develop vision problems. Plus, your immune system could weaken, leaving you susceptible to infectious diseases.

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Perhaps even more serious are the side effects of consuming too much vitamin A, also known as hypervitaminosis A. Initially, too much vitamin A can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and even vomiting. Because vitamin A is fat-soluble, it tends to get stored in your liver if you consume too much of it, which can lead to liver problems and even liver failure. There's also evidence that getting excess vitamin A can cause osteoporosis and bone fractures.

In particular, pregnant people must be careful about their intake of vitamin A, as getting too much vitamin A can cause birth defects. Pregnant people shouldn't eat foods that are high in vitamin A, such as pate and fish liver oil. In general, babies and small children are more sensitive to vitamin A overdoses and deficiencies, so it's important to closely monitor their daily vitamin A consumption, too.

Taking Vitamin A: Daily Dosage Recommendations

According to the Institute of Medicine Food and Nutrition Board, most adult men should consume around 900 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin A per day, and women should have around 700mcg per day. The recommended daily intake is lower (750–770mcg per day) in pregnant people and higher (1200–1300mcg per day) for people who are breastfeeding.

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The daily dosage for children varies with age. From 0 to 6 months, infants should have 400mcg per day, after which they should consume 500mcg per day until they reach the age of 1. Children 1 to 3 years of age should get 300mcg per day, while those from 4 to 8 years of age need 400mcg per day. Those from 9 to 13 years old need 600mcg each day. Daily recommendations for children don't change based on gender.

These dosage requirements are general guidelines. Individuals may have differing daily recommendations for vitamin A, depending on their health status and lifestyle. Most people can get a sufficient amount of vitamin A simply by eating a balanced diet. Consult a doctor before taking any vitamin A supplements or changing from the recommended dosage for your age and sex.

In summary, it's important to be aware of the foods that'll give you an adequate supply of vitamin A. Provided you have a balanced diet, you might not need to take vitamin A supplements. Be aware of foods containing high levels of vitamin A, and avoid eating too much of these, particularly during pregnancy.

Resource Links:

https://medlineplus.gov/vitamina.html

https://bnf.nice.org.uk/treatment-summary/vitamins.html

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-a/

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-Consumer/

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-HealthProfessional/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6470929/pdf/nutrients-11-00681.pdf

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Fruits High In Vitamin A And C

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Eisen Vitamin C Das Gesunde Plus

Eisen Vitamin C Das Gesunde Plus

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Eisen + Vitamin C, Cassis - das gesunde Plus

Barcode: 4010355051462 (EAN / EAN-13)

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sen tam n *Nàhrstoffbezugswerte gem. verordnung urc scn ce pro 100 g Nàhrwertangaben: 216 929 Ener ie

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Nutrition facts

Nutrition facts	As sold for 100 g / 100 ml
Energy (kJ)	929 kj
Energy (kcal)	216 kcal
Energy	929 kj (216 kcal)
Fat	1 g
Saturated fat	0 g
Carbohydrates	1 g
Sugars	1 g
Fiber	1 g
Proteins	1 g
Salt	18.6 g
Sodium	7.44 g
Nutrition score - France	11
Nutri-Score	D

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		Plastic

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Product added on May 13, 2017 at 5:52:52 PM CEST by date-limite-app
Last edit of product page on March 30, 2020 at 2:54:17 PM CEST by tacite-mass-editor.
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Eisen Vitamin C Das Gesunde Plus

Source: https://world.openfoodfacts.org/product/4010355051462/eisen-vitamin-c-cassis-das-gesunde-plus

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