Travel with ease, Travel with C
Travel with ease, Travel with C
Currency, tooth brush, memory cards; there are several things that every seasoned traveller will instinctively check off on their list of must-brings as they are packing for their next great adventure. Some are special items for travel, like your passports or the camera that only comes out for special events. Most, however, are everyday items like your toiletries and clothing. There’s nothing special about them and you use them in your daily routine.
But, one item that you shouldn’t neglect when you’re traveling is your trusty old friend Vitamin C.
Assisted Immunity
Travelling can be stressful at times, and when the body is stressed it changes how the immune system works. Stress can affect your immune system in two ways: by creating chronic inflammation that harms tissues or by suppressing immune cells needed to fight infection. While travelling, this then opens up our bodies to the sickness and fragility.
Vitamin C contributes to the immune defense system by supporting both your innate and adaptive immunity. Its anti-oxidant nature lends itself to the reduction of free radicals and supports the rejection of pathogens. Continuing to feed your body Vitamin C before you leave for your trip as well as during will help your body to stay healthy during your travels.
Amped-Up Healing
We are all familiar with the aches and pains of walking during most of our travels. Whether you have been scaling mountains, or hopping from coffee shop to brunch locations, there will be the classic aches and pains that are the battle scars of the explorer.
A medical journal has shown that muscular aches and wound healing happens faster and more efficiently in adults that are not deficient in Vitamin C. It can even be accelerated slightly in doses higher than the normal daily recommended amount.
So, remember to keep your intake of Vitamin C healthy. If you find yourself aching during the trip, you may try to accelerate your healing rate by ingesting more Vitamin C for a short time.
Skin Care
Whether you’re staying in a familiar climate or adventuring in a different one, your skin is how your body keeps you protected. You’ll need to take good care of it be it under the hot sun, or in the blistering cold.
Vitamin C also helps in the production and regeneration of two important components of your skin’s health – collagen and alpha-tocopherol (or Vitamin E). Collagen is the protein that maintains and creates new cells to replace old ones. It also helps to keep the skin elastic and flexible so that you can be comfortable in your own skin. Vitamin E is an anti-oxidant that helps combat inflammation after your skin has been hit by UV rays from exposure to the sun.
Don’t wait until it’s too late, start making sure that you have enough Vitamin C in your diet so that you can be in the best shape when you travel, and continue to be healthy at all other times!
Reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5391567/