Women who actually follow all of the standard health advice - eat sensibly, don't smoke, get some exercise, keep the weight down, have an occasional drink ,can reduce their chance of heart disease an astonishing 82 percent, according to a study from the landmark Nurses' Health Study, conducted at the Harvard School of Public Health.

Vitamin C

In most animals, ascorbic acid ( vitamin C ) can be synthesized from glucose. However, humans, and the guinea pig are unable to synthesize it.. The enzyme that catalyzes this reaction (L-gluconolactone oxidase) is defective in humans. Thus the need for vitamin C in the diet is the result of an inborn error in carbohydrate metabolism.

The vitamin is present in milk and some meats (kidney, liver, fish) and is widely distributed in fruits and vegetables. A portion is lost after prolonged storage of unprocessed fruits and vegetables (e.g., potatoes), but it is partially preserved ( half or greater) by most means of food processing (boiling, steaming, pressure cooking, preserving jams and jellies, freezing, dehydration, and canning).
As a consequence, the recommended daily allowances can be met with even a modest intake of fruits and vegetables.

Utilization of the vitamin is increased during pregnancy and lactation and in thyrotoxicosis, and absorption is decreased in diarrheal states and in achlorhydria.