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“Vitamin C facts”
Interesting facts about vitamin C:
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, which means that it is easily absorbed in the body (as most of the body is made of water and so are most of the foods eaten), but some of it may be lost in cooking.
Vitamin C is also known as "ascorbic acid", which basically means "acid that prevents scurvy", which is a vitamin C deficiency condition.
Vitamin C is the nutrient that is required to create collagen, which is the connective tissue that helps to keep all the organs, tissues and cells in the body tied together. Collagen is basically the "glue" that holds everything together.
Vitamin C is needed to synthesise the hormones produced by the adrenal glands (including cortisol and adrenalin) without which, the body could not function properly. During high stress situations vitamin C levels are quickly depleted and if they are not replenished just as quickly, they can cause an inability to handle stress (either physical or emotional) very well.
Vitamin C is especially needed to ensure that the walls of blood vessels are strong, yet pliable, so that blood flow is regulated and healthy. This is important because strong blood vessel walls prevent the build-up of cholesterol and other fatty plaque from forming on them and increasing risk of blockage and clotting, which could results in heart attack or stroke.
Vitamin C is one of the major antioxidants that works to reduce the damage that could be caused by free radicals in the body, such as ageing, heart disease and cancer.
Vitamin C is also required to help it assist the immune system to perform better. With enough vitamin C in the body, the immune system can work more effectively and prevent you from getting infections and illness. Adequate levels of vitamin C are required to increase resistance and prevent disease and infection. Numerous studies have shown that when vitamin C is supplemented, it increases the production of the special white blood cells called lymphocytes. These white blood cells are predominantly involved in the protection of the body from disease and infection by producing antibodies and cells that destroy the invading viruses and bacteria. Vitamin C also helps to produce better quality white blood cells called phagocytes; these cells engulf the invading foreign substances (virus, bacteria and other harmful substances, even cancer cells) and destroy them, ready to be eliminated from the body.
Vitamin C is needed by the thymus gland to ensure it functions properly. The thymus gland is where the T cells (one of the lymphocytes types) go to learn how to properly protect the body and mature before they are allowed to go out into the body and protect it from disease and infection. The thymus gland is a very important tissue involved in immunity and seems to function less as people age.
Vitamin C is also really necessary for healing wounds of any sort. If there is enough vitamin C in the body to create enough collagen, wounds (bruises, cuts) are healed more quickly and effectively. Studies have shown that recovery from surgery is significantly expedited if vitamin C is supplemented by at least 50-70%. People who know they are going to undergo surgery should seek medical advice about how much vitamin C to take prior to and post surgery to help them recover more quickly from the surgery.
Numerous studies have shown that vitamin C supplementation (together with other antioxidant vitamin) helps to extend the life of people suffering from many types of cancer quite significantly than if they were not taking any of the supplements. Laboratory tests show that vitamin C prevents cancer growth and is a useful adjunct to chemotherapy as it enhances its effect and reduces toxicity symptoms. Many hospitals use vitamin C in conjunction with chemotherapy for these reasons. The National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Council recommend a diet high in vitamin C as a possible preventative measure against developing cancer.
Research shows that vitamin C is necessary to prevent high blood pressure and a hardening of the arteries, which reduces risk for heart attack and stroke. In addition, other research shows that lower levels of vitamin C are associated with increased blood levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol. Studies suggest that vitamin C helps to remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream, transporting it to the liver where it gets converted into bile and then excreted.
The substance nitrosamines, is a known carcinogen, which means it is a proven and known cancer causing substance. People are exposed to nitrosamines from processed foods with preservatives and from cigarette smoke (including passive smoking). The precursors of nitrosamines are nitrates and nitrites, which are found in foods additives used as preservatives in meat products such as sausages and deli meats as well as in pollution. Research shows that vitamin C blocks the nitrates and nitrates from being converted into nitrosamines and prevents the development of cancer. Other studies also show that there is a definite link between high blood levels of vitamin C and low incidence with many types of cancers.
Vitamin C is needed to treat scurvy, which is a vitamin C deficient health condition that causes anaemia, bleeding and sore gums and muscle weakness, which can be fatal if it is not treated. Very few people develop scurvy, but surprisingly, it still exists even in the western world today.
Vitamin C is required for the body to better absorb iron (especially the plant form of iron, called haeme iron) and folic acid (folate) from foods eaten rich with these nutrients.
Many medications and alcohol deplete vitamin C stores in the body, so these need to be replaced through extra supplementation. People taking any types of medications need to seek the advice of their doctor before trying vitamin C supplements.
People that smoke cigarettes need extra vitamin C because of the damaging effects of the substances that are in the tobacco. Studies have shown that vitamin C has a blocking effect on one of the carcinogenic substances in cigarettes (benzopyrene) to stop it from causing cell mutation and development of cancer. Research suggest that smokers may need up to three times more vitamin C than people who do not smoke just to combat the adverse health effects of the cigarettes - the same applies to passive smokers.
Vitamin C, especially at doses larger than 200mg, seems to affect the results of certain medical tests, including (but not limited to): blood glucose levels, calcium oxalate blood levels, blood in the stools, haemoglobin levels in the blood. Vitamin C supplements should be stopped at least 3-4 days prior to undergoing these tests and also during the tests duration. People that are still taking vitamin C at the time they are undergoing these types of medical tests, will have incorrect test results.
Disclaimer: The advice on this site should be viewed as a general guideline only and it should not replace the advice of a medical professional. Always consult your medical or health care provider to get the advice and care for your particular and individual health, nutrition, diet and fitness circumstances.