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Vitamin C is also known as: Ascorbate, Ascorbic Acid
Below you will learn these facts of Vitamin C and thier benefits:
#1: What Vitamin C does
#2: Where Vitamin C is found
#3: What Vitamin C is Beneficial for?
#4: Are you Vitamin C deficient?
#5: The amount of Vitamin C to take
#6: Side Effects & Interactions of Vitamin C
#7: Vitamin C References
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that has a number of biological functions.
Acting as an antioxidant, one of vitamin C important functions is to protect
LDL cholesterol from oxidative damage. (Only when LDL is damaged does cholesterol
appear to lead to heart disease, and vitamin C may be one of the most important
antioxidant protectors of LDL.)1 Vitamin C may also protect against heart
disease by reducing the stiffness of arteries and the tendency of platelets
to clump together.
The antioxidant properties of vitamin C are thought to protect smokers, as
well as people exposed to secondhand smoke, from the harmful effects of free
radicals. A controlled trial demonstrated the ability of 3 grams of vitamin
C, taken by nonsmokers two hours prior to being exposed to cigarette smoke,
to reduce the free radical damage and LDL cholesterol oxidation associated
with exposure to cigarette smoke. The smoke-induced decline in total antioxidant
defense was also diminished. These beneficial effects were not observed in
nonsmokers under normal conditions (no free radical exposure).
Vitamin C is needed to make collagen, the "glue" that strengthens many parts
of the body, such as muscles and blood vessels. Vitamin C also plays important
roles in wound healing and as a natural antihistamine. This vitamin also aids
in the formation of liver bile and helps to fight viruses and to detoxify
alcohol and other substances.
Recently, researchers have shown that vitamin C improves nitric oxide activity.
Nitric oxide is needed for the dilation of blood vessels, potentially important
in lowering blood pressure and preventing spasms of arteries in the heart
that might otherwise lead to heart attacks. Vitamin C has reversed dysfunction
of cells lining blood vessels.
The normalization of the functioning of these cells may be linked to prevention
of heart disease.
Evidence indicates that vitamin C levels in the eye decrease with age and
that supplementing with vitamin C prevents this decrease, possibly leading
to a lower risk of developing cataracts.8 9 Healthy people have been reported
in some, but not all, studies to be more likely to take vitamin C and vitamin
E supplements than are people with cataracts.
Vitamin C has been reported to reduce activity of the enzyme, aldose reductase,
in people. Aldose reductase is the enzyme responsible for accumulation of
sorbitol in eyes, nerves, and kidneys of people with diabetes. This accumulation
is believed to be responsible for deterioration of these parts of the body
associated with diabetes. Therefore, interference with the activity of aldose
reductase theoretically helps protect people with diabetes.
Vitamin C may help protect the body against accumulation or retention of the
toxic mineral, lead. In one preliminary study, people with higher blood levels
of vitamin C had much lower risk of having excessive blood levels of lead.13
In a controlled trial, male smokers with moderate to high levels of lead received
supplements of 1,000 mg per day of vitamin C, 200 mg per day of vitamin C,
or a placebo.14 Only those people taking 1,000 mg per day of vitamin C experienced
a drop in the blood lead levels, but the reduction in this group was dramatic.
People with recurrent boils (furunculosis) may have defects in white blood
cell function that are correctable with vitamin C supplementation. A preliminary
study of people with recurrent boils and defective white blood cell function,
found that 1 gram of vitamin C taken daily for four to six weeks, resulted
in normalization of white blood cell function . Ten of twelve people receiving
vitamin C became symptom-free within one month and remained so for periods
of one to three years without additional supplementation. The other two people
required long-term vitamin C supplementation to prevent recurrences.
A double-blind trial found that 500 mg of vitamin C per day for one year reduced
the risk of developing reflex sympathetic dystrophy (a painful nerve condition
of the extremities), after a wrist fracture.
In a small, preliminary trial, vitamin C (500 mg twice daily) combined with
rutoside (500 mg twice daily), a derivative of the flavonoid, rutin, produced
marked improvement in three women with progressive pigmented purpura (PPP),
a mild skin condition. Although not a serious medical condition, cosmetic
concerns lead people with PPP to seek treatment with a variety of drugs. The
vitamin C/rutoside combination represents a promising, non-toxic alternative
to these drug treatments, but larger, controlled trials are needed to confirm
these preliminary results.
Where is Vitamin C found?
Broccoli, red peppers, currants, Brussels sprouts, parsley, potatoes, citrus
fruit, and strawberries are good sources of vitamin C.
Take a look at our store to buy Vitamin C online:
