VITAMIN C (
Ascorbic Acid,
Ascorbate) Thiswater soluble antioxidant protects against free radical damage, aids in growthand repair of body
tissue, prevents infection, helps to build up the immunesystem, and helps fight cancer. It tends to function best in the presence ofworks best with bioflavonoids and other antioxidants (such as vitamin E, beta–carotene, and selenium), found in natural foods. Vitamin C is essential for healthy teeth, gums and Bones. It helps to heal wounds, scar tissue, andfractures. It aids in the prevention andtreatment of the common cold, and provides strength to blood vessels. It aids in the absorption of iron. It isrequired for the
synthesis of collagen, the intercellular"cementwhich holds tissues together. Itprevents the conversion of nitrates (from tobacco smoke, smog, bacon, lunchmeats, and some vegetables) into cancer-causing substances. According to Dr.Lines Pauling, the foremost authority on Vitamin C, Vitamin C will decrease therisk of getting certain cancers by 75%.Ascorbic acid is more commonly known as vitamin C. Ascorbic acid is derived from glucose via the uronicacid pathway. The enzyme L-gulonolactone oxidase responsible for the conversionof gulonolactone to ascorbic acid is absent in primates making ascorbic acidrequired in the diet. The active form of vitamin C is ascorbate acid itself.The main function of ascorbate is as a reducing agent in a number of differentreactions. Vitamin C has the potential to reduce cytochromes (a and c) of therespiratory chain as well as molecular oxygen. The most important reactionrequiring ascorbate as a cofactor is the hydroxylation of proline residues incollagen. Vitamin C is, therefore, required for the maintenance of normalconnective tissue as well as for
wound healing since synthesis of connectivetissue is the first event in wound tissue remodeling. Vitamin C also isnecessary for bone remodeling due to the presence of collagen in the organicmatrix of bones. Several other metabolic reactions require vitamin C as acofactor. These include the catabolism of tyrosine and the synthesis ofepinephrine from tyrosine and the synthesis of the bile acids. It is alsobelieved that vitamin C is involved in the process of steroidogenesis since theadrenal cortex contains high levels of vitamin C which are depleted uponadrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation of the gland. A defficiency in this vitamin can lead toscurvy, (a connective tissue disorder that can only be prevented with adeqatevitamin C. Scurvy is characterized by easily bruised skin, musclefatigue, soft swollen gums, decreased wound healing and hemorrhaging,osteoporosis, and anemia. Vitamin C is readily absorbed and so the primarycause of vitamin C deficiency is poor diet and/or an
increased requirement. Theprimary physiological state leading to an increased requirement for vitamin Cis severe stress (or trauma). This is due to a rapid depletion in the adrenalstores of the vitamin. The reason for the decrease in adrenal vitamin C levelsis unclear but may be due either to redistribution of the vitamin to areas thatneed it or an overall increased utilization.
More abstracts about the Vitamin C