Vitamin P is the name recently given to the group of nutrients called bioflavonoids. Bioflavonoids are what give plants and fruits their color. Vitamin P is naturally contained in spinach, grapes, prunes and the pulp of citrus fruits. The compound of bioflavonoids that makes up vitamin P is known to have significant health-increasing properties. Vitamin P facilitates vitamin C absorption by the body and enhances many of its health benefits. The only known side effect of ingesting more vitamin P than your body needs is diarrhea. If you have symptoms of vitamin P deficiency, you can eat more fruits and spinach and take a supplement.
Vitamin P is shown to boost the immune system because it possesses antiviral and anti-infection capabilities. It also contributes to the strengthening of capillary function and protects the capillaries against bleeding. Vitamin P has demonstrated anti-inflammatory qualities which help to reduce pain. Vitamin P also contributes to the health of your blood by preventing red blood cells from clumping with platelets. Vitamin P has demonstrated a capacity to lower cholesterol levels, which helps prevent heart disease. The bioflavonoids that compose vitamin P are antioxidants, which prevent cell damage. Cataracts have been treated with vitamin P intake.
Since vitamin P is essential to the proper functioning of the immune system and capillaries, problems in those areas may indicate a deficiency. Frequent illness, slow wound healing, bruising and bleeding gums are all symptoms of a possible vitamin P deficiency. People with high cholesterol levels may benefit from increasing their vitamin P intake. It is also recommended that people who smoke, drink, or take large amounts of aspirin or prescription medications get more vitamin P in their diets, since these activities can deplete the body of it. People with a deficiency may require a vitamin P supplement, since the foods they eat may not be providing their bodies with sufficient amounts of the nutrient.