Vitamin
C - Why YOU Should Take It
"Vitamin
C is the most important health-protecting nutrient ever
discovered to reduce the risk of today's common age-related
diseases." (Linus Pauling PhD, Vitamin C pioneer)
Vitamin C supplementation
is proving to have surprisingly beneficial effects on every
aspect of human health. It relieves the symptoms of the
common cold and flu for many people. It helps fight other
viral and bacterial infections, as well as being a powerful
antioxidant. It strengthens the body's defenses and may
help fight cancer. Supplementation also improves the cholesterol
counts of those with dangerous levels and reduces the risk
of cardiovascular disease.
It is particularly
beneficial to the elderly to help combat tissue and joint
degeneration due to oxidative damage. It maintains healthy
connective tissue and bones (a deficiency often leads to
bleeding and poor wound healing). It is biochemically active
in the production of collagen (found in both skin and bones),
in the metabolism of various brain chemicals, and in the
synthesis of the hormone noradrenaline, which has powerful
effects upon pulse rate and blood pressure.
Much like the immune
system itself, which operates at a cellular level, the hardworking
vitamin C reaches every cell of the body. The concentration
of vitamin C in both blood serum and tissues is quite high.
In fact, this nutrient plays a major role in the manufacture
and defense of our connective tissue, the elaborate matrix
that holds the body together. It serves as a primary ingredient
of collagen, a glue-like substance that binds cells together
to form tissues.
The skin, teeth and
bones also benefit from vitamin C's collagen-forming and
invader-resisting properties; this vitamin contributes to
the maintenance of healthy bones, the prevention of periodontal
disease and the healing of wounds. It even serves as a natural
aspirin, of sorts, by combating inflammation and pain. It
accomplishes this task by inhibiting the secretion of the
prostaglandins that contribute to such symptoms.
Vitamin C enhances
the absorption of iron as well as protecting the deterioration
of folic acid in foods, so taking Vitamin C ensures you
are getting adequate supplies of these other important nutrients
also.
Infants, the elderly
and those who don't eat properly are generally at risk of
becoming deficient because they eat so few fresh fruits
and vegetables (high sources of Vitamin C). Other groups
who have an increased need for Vitamin C are women on the
Pill (take these medications at different times of the day),
those taking aspirin, antibiotics, appetite suppressants
or anticonvulsants, and those on steroids. Alcoholics and
smokers have a huge need for Vitamin C supplementation as
their levels become severely depleted very quickly!
Alcohol
consumers. Many chronic drinkers lack an
adequate level of vitamin C because they tend to eat poorly,
according to Gaby and Singh. Research also shows that a
large intake of alcohol can depress the concentration of
ascorbic acid in plasma and increase urinary excretion of
vitamin C. Therefore, one study suggests that doses of vitamin
C - at least 500 to 1,000 mg per day can aid in the treatment
of alcoholism.
Smokers.
At this point, it is a well accepted fact
in the scientific arena that cigarette smoke has a negative
impact on the metabolism of vitamin C. According to the
Journal of Clinical Nutrition, people who smoke have a much
lower level of ascorbic acid in the blood than do nonsmokers.
Supplementing with Vitamin C at say 500-1000mg daily is
recommended.
Diabetics.
The tissues and organs of diabetics may be
deprived of vitamin C, requiring them to consume more of
the nutrient than does the average person. Vitamin C must
compete with glucose to reach the tissues and organs through
a common cellular transport system. An insufficient supply
of insulin also can inhibit the transport of vitamin C to
cells that require insulin for their glucose uptake.
Workers
exposed to toxins. Studies also show that
the blood levels of vitamin C may be low in workers who
are exposed to occupational pollutants such as lead and
coal tar.
How Does
Vitamin C Aid the Immune System Defenses?
Vitamin C assists
the immune system in two of its primary functions to rid
the body of foreign invaders and to monitor the systems
for any sign of tumor cells. It accomplishes these vital
tasks by stimulating the production of white blood cells,
primarily neutrophils, which attack foreign antigens such
as bacteria and viruses. It also boosts the body's production
of both antibodies and interferon, the protein that helps
protect us from viral invaders and cancer cells.
As a constituent
of collagen, vitamin C may contribute to our immune defenses
in an even more fundamental way: our skin and the epithelial
lining of the body's orifices, both of which contain collagen,
serve as our first line of defense against foreign invaders.
They prevent these invaders from entering the body in the
first place, where the immune system would have to go to
war against them.
Beyond that, vitamin
C acts against the toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic effects
of environmental pollutants by stimulating liver detoxifying
enzymes. It also stimulates the production of PGE1, a prostaglandin
which assists lymphocytes, the defender cells in our immune
system.
As an
Antioxidant, How Does Vitamin C Help to Protect the Body?
Vitamin C protects
the DNA of the cells from the damage caused by free radicals
and mutagens. As Gaby and Singh report, it prevents harmful
genetic alterations within cells and protects lymphocytes
from mutations to the chromosomes. Vitamin C may be especially
important in this day and age of widespread environmental
pollution because it combats the effects of many such toxins,
including ozone, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, pesticides
and heavy metals.
It appears that vitamin
C fights off these pollutants by stimulating enzymes in
the liver that detoxify the body. In several studies, vitamin
C reduced chromosome abnormalities in workers exposed to
pollutants such as coal tar, styrene, methyl methacrylate
and halogenated ethers. Another way in which vitamin C protects
us is by preventing the development of nitrosamines, the
cancer-causing chemicals that stem from the nitrates contained
in many foods.
Vitamin C prevents
free radical damage in the lungs and may even help to protect
the central nervous system from such damage. In a study
of guinea pigs, an ascorbic acid pretreatment effectively
diminished the acute lung damage caused by the introduction
of superoxide anion free oxygen radicals to the trachea.
Ascorbic acid also was tested as an antioxidant to inflammatory
reaction in mice. High doses given after but not before
the injury successfully suppressed edema.
As an antioxidant,
vitamin C's primary role is to neutralize free radicals.
Since ascorbic acid is water soluble, it can work both inside
and outside the cells to combat free radical damage. As
explained earlier, free radicals will seek out an electron
to regain their stability. Vitamin C is an excellent source
of electrons; therefore, it "can donate electrons to free
radicals such as hydroxyl and superoxide radicals and quench
their reactivity," states Adrianne Bendich in "Antioxidant
Micronutrients and Immune Responses".
Ester C makes supplementation
even easier and more beneficial. It's pH neutrality makes
it gentler on the digestive system than even buffered ascorbic
acid. Because it contains high concentrations of C metabolites,
it is more effective at fulfilling the physiological potential
of Vitamin C than other forms. Ester C is better absorbed,
better retained and more effectively utilised by cells and
tissue. Don't forget to buy your Ester C next time!
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