Understanding Vitamin C
Many sources indicate that Vitamin C is one of the best free radical scavengers available.  Taken correctly, it can alleviate the pain and suffering caused by many afflictions, relatively quickly.

Free radical damage is believed to be characteristic of most disease conditions.  The concept of the free radical was discovered in 1900 by Moses Gomberg, a chemistry professor at the University of Michigan. In The Third Face of Vitamin C, Dr. Robert Cathcart discusses how free radicals are thought to do damage by stealing an electron from the outer shell of an atom belonging to a healthy cell, in order to satisfy the need to replace the missing electron in its own outer shell.  This action eventually causes the entire cell to be destroyed if the condition is left unchecked.  Vitamin C provides a peaceful solution to the problem by donating that missing electron to the free radical, thereby neutralizing it.

In Healthy Healing, author Linda Rector Page lists the following signs and symptoms of Vitamin C deficiency as well as factors contributing to Vitamin C deficiency:

Signs and symptoms of a Vitamin C deficiency:

• easy bruising, easy muscle and tendon injury, frequent nosebleeds, delayed wound healing
• bleeding, purplish gums, loose or sore teeth, tendency to form plaque or tartar
• heightened susceptibility to infections and colds, and sensitive to extremes in temperature
• arthritis, a history of degenerative joint disease, or lower back pain
• liver spots, spots or floaters in the eyes, frequent hemorrhoids
• thinning and/or premature aging of the skin
• insomnia, depression or listlessness, loss of appetite
• a history of learning or reading impairment

Other factors contributing to Vitamin C deficiency:

• low dietary intake of fresh fruits and vegetables
• high stress life-style
• regularly taking aspirin, or anti-inflammatory drugs like Motrin; or birth control pills
• taking cortisone or applying cortisone cream on a daily or weekly basis
• prolonged use of cocaine, crack, heroin or marijuana; or prolonged periods in the past
• smoking cigarettes or exposure to second-hand smoke on a regular basis
• exposure to excessive quantities of chemical or exhaust fumes, or exposure on a regular basis to X-rays

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