Ascorbic acid is used up more rapidly with alcohol use, smoking, and under stressful conditions. Other factors that increase Vitamin C requirements include viral illness and fever, Aspirin and other medications, environmental toxins, and exposure to heavy metals such as mercury, lead, or cadmium. Vitamin C is involved in the formation and maintenance of collagen, which is the basis of connective tissue found in capillary walls, skin, ligaments, cartilage, vertebral discs, joint linings, bones and teeth. Collagen, and thus Vitamin C, is needed for wound healing and to maintain healthy blood vessels... Full Text