Did you know that most animals make their own Vitamin C? Human beings are amongst a very small group of animals that have to get their Vitamin C from dietary sources. Guinea pigs, fruit eating bats, the red vented bulbul bird, and primates are the only animals that don’t manufacture their own.

 

Some scientists believe that we lost the ability to manufacture it internally because our ancestors ate a diet rich in fruit. The average gorilla eats 3000mg a day, the equivalent of 88 oranges. The average human consumes around 50mg a day, with most children getting only one piece of fresh fruit weekly.

 

Many animals are immune to certain strains of cancer and a variety of viruses. People with high vitamin C intake also have increased immunity. This is no coincidence. The higher your stress levels, the more vitamin C you need. “Recommended Daily Allowances” are very conservative, but few people get even close.

 

If you want to do just one thing to improve your diet, getting more Vitamin C would be the place to start. Ideally, eat at least three pieces of fresh fruit daily and take a Vitamin C supplement. Your body will thank you for it.

 

Ref: “The Optimum Nutrition Bible” by Patrick Holford