A to Z of Vitamin C:

From Citrus to Cellular Healing

When most people hear vitamin C, they think of oranges, immunity, or that supplement they reach for only when a cold has already struck. But vitamin C is far more than a “cold vitamin.” It is a powerful, multi-system nutrient that supports your body from the surface of your skin to the deepest layers of cellular energy production.

At Tula Wellness Hub, vitamin C is not viewed as a quick fix or a one-time solution. We use it thoughtfully—through food, functional supplementation, and, in selected cases, intravenous vitamin C—as part of personalised, integrative treatment plans.

Let’s walk through vitamin C from A to Z, and by the end of this, you may never look at a lemon the same way again.

116#Tula Newsletter

A – Antioxidant Armour

Vitamin C is one of the body’s most important water-soluble antioxidants. It neutralises free radicals generated by pollution, infections, stress, smoking, toxins, and even intense physical exercise.

Dr. Priya’s insight:
“I often describe vitamin C as a fire extinguisher your body carries everywhere. In today’s world, we are surrounded by small ‘fires’ all the time, and vitamin C helps keep them under control.”

B – Boosts Immunity (But Not Just for Colds)

Vitamin C supports immune function by enhancing white blood cell activity, strengthening skin and mucosal barriers, and supporting faster recovery. However, it is not a magic shield that prevents every infection.

Dr. Priya’s insight:
“Vitamin C works best as a daily habit, not as a panic pill taken only when you fall sick.”

C – Collagen, Skin & Connective Tissue

Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis, the protein that gives structure to skin, ligaments, tendons, bones, gums, and blood vessels. Low levels can show up as dull skin, easy bruising, bleeding gums, or delayed wound healing.

Clinical pearl:
External skincare works best when internal collagen builders—adequate protein, vitamin C, and minerals—are optimised.

D – Daily Requirements (And Why They May Be Too Low)

Standard vitamin C recommendations are designed to prevent deficiency diseases like scurvy—not to optimise health. With today’s exposure to pollution, processed foods, sleep deprivation, and chronic stress, many people may require more.

Dr. Priya’s insight:
“What is ‘enough to survive’ is not always ‘enough to thrive.’”

E – Energy & Mitochondria

Your mitochondria—the energy factories of your cells—are highly vulnerable to oxidative stress. Vitamin C helps protect them and supports reactions involved in energy production. Low levels may show up as unexplained fatigue or low stamina.

F – Food-First Philosophy

At Tula, we always start with food. Excellent natural sources of vitamin C include:

• Amla (Indian gooseberry)

• Guava

• Citrus fruits (lemon, orange, mosambi)

• Berries

• Bell peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage

• Fresh herbs like coriander and parsley

Practical tip:
Layer vitamin C through the day—warm lemon water in the morning, raw vegetables at lunch, and fruit instead of sugary desserts.

G – Gut Health & Absorption

Vitamin C is absorbed in the small intestine. Conditions such as gut inflammation, dysbiosis, celiac disease, or certain medications can impair absorption. When levels remain low despite a good diet, gut health often needs attention.

H – High-Dose Vitamin C: Oral vs IV

Oral vitamin C absorption is limited by the gut and may cause loose stools at high doses. Intravenous vitamin C bypasses the gut and achieves much higher blood levels, which is why it is used in selected integrative settings—such as fatigue, immune support, tissue repair, or adjunct oncology care—under medical supervision.

I – Inflammation & Injury Recovery

Vitamin C supports tissue repair and reduces oxidative stress, making it valuable during recovery from injuries, surgery, fractures, and chronic inflammatory conditions.

Dr. Priya’s insight:
“When vitamin C is optimised, patients often bounce back faster after procedures or intensive detox programs.”

J – Joints & Connective Tissue

While not a standalone treatment for arthritis or autoimmune disease, vitamin C supports cartilage health, ligament resilience, and overall connective tissue repair.

K – Kidneys & Safety

Vitamin C is generally safe when used correctly. In people with normal kidney function, excess is excreted in urine. However, those with kidney disease or a history of oxalate kidney stones need careful evaluation before higher doses.

At Tula, IV vitamin C is never used without proper screening.

L – Lifestyle, Stress & Adrenals

Your adrenal glands rely heavily on vitamin C for hormone production. Chronic stress, poor sleep, emotional overload, and overwork can rapidly deplete levels.

Dr. Priya’s insight:
“If your life is on fast-forward, your nutrient requirements are too—and vitamin C is one of the first to run low.”

M – Mood, Mind & Brain

Vitamin C participates in neurotransmitter synthesis, including norepinephrine. Low levels may contribute to fatigue, irritability, brain fog, and low mood.

N – Nature’s Package vs Pills

Whole foods provide vitamin C along with bioflavonoids, fibre, and phytochemicals that work synergistically. Supplements can help—but they should complement, not replace, a colourful plate.

O – Oxidative Load in Modern Life

Ultra-processed foods, refined oils, plastics, pesticides, indoor air pollution, and poor sleep have significantly increased our oxidative burden. This makes consistent daily intake far more important than occasional high doses.

P – Personalised Supplementation

Not everyone needs the same dose or form of vitamin C. At Tula, we individualise based on:

• Diet recall

• Gut health

• Kidney function

• Medications and comorbidities

• Inflammatory and oxidative stress load

R – Red Flags of Low Vitamin C

Classic scurvy is rare, but suboptimal levels are common. Possible signs include:

• Easy bruising

• Bleeding gums

• Poor wound healing

• Fatigue

• Recurrent infections

• Dry, rough skin

S – Synergy with Other Nutrients

Vitamin C works best in combination:

• Enhances iron absorption (especially plant-based iron)

• Recycles vitamin E and glutathione

• Supports collagen formation with protein, zinc, and copper

Functional medicine rarely looks at nutrients in isolation.

T – Tula’s Integrative Approach

At Tula Wellness Hub, vitamin C appears across layers of care:

• Seasonal, plant-rich diet plans

• Gut reset and detox programs

• IV nutrition protocols (when indicated)

• Prevention and longevity programs focused on consistency

Dr. Priya’s insight:
“Vitamin C represents integrative medicine at its best—simple, natural, evidence-informed, and powerful when used thoughtfully.”

U – Using Vitamin C Wisely

• Spread intake across the day

• Pair vitamin C-rich foods with iron-rich meals

• Prefer fresh, minimally cooked sources

• Use high-dose or IV vitamin C only under medical supervision

V – Vitamin C & You: A Simple Self-Check

Ask yourself:

• Do I eat enough fruits and vegetables daily?

• Do I live with high stress?

• Do I rely heavily on processed foods?

• Do I often feel run-down or fall sick?

If yes, your vitamin C needs likely deserve more attention.

W – What We Offer at Tula

If you’d like to understand your vitamin C status better, we can review your diet, lifestyle, and labs and design a personalised plan—from food to supplements and, where appropriate, IV therapy—integrated with gut health, sleep, hormones, and emotional wellbeing.

116#Tula Newsletter

Closing Thoughts from Dr. Priya

In medical school, vitamin C was a small chapter. In real life, it shows up everywhere—immunity, skin, joints, heart, brain, and mood.

When you respect the basics, the body responds beautifully. Vitamin C is one of those basics. Before chasing the next fancy intervention, let’s make sure your plate is colourful, your cells are nourished, and your antioxidant tank is full.