Vitamin C is a vital nutrient for health. It helps form and maintain bones, skin, and blood vessels. It is also an antioxidant.
Vitamin C occurs naturally in some foods, especially fruits and vegetables. Vitamin C supplements are also available.
Other names for vitamin C include L-ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid, and L-ascorbate.
In this article, learn more about why we need vitamin C, how much we need, and where to find it.
Why we need vitamin C
Vitamin C is water soluble, and the body does not store it. To maintain adequate levels of vitamin C, people need to consume food that contains it every day.
The body needs vitamin C for various functions. Here are some of them:
- It helps the body produce collagen, L-carnitine, and some neurotransmitters.
- As an antioxidant, it helps remove unwanted substances known as reactive oxidative species (ROS) from the body.
- It helps the body absorb iron.
- It boosts the immune system.
- It enhances wound healing.
ROS are substances such as free radicals that result from natural bodily processes, exposure to pollution, and other factors. They can lead to oxidative stress, which can, in turn, cause cell damage.
Vitamin C’s antioxidant activity may help reduce inflammation and lower the risk of developing various conditions, including some cancers.
The body needs vitamin C to produce collagen. This is the main component of connective tissue and makes up 1–2% of muscle tissue.
Collagen is a vital component in fibrous tissues such as:
- tendons
- ligaments
- skin
- the cornea
- cartilage
- bones
- the gut
- blood vessels
Low levels of vitamin C in the body can lead to scurvy. Symptoms of scurvy include swollen joints, bleeding gums and loose teeth, anemia, and tiredness.
The benefits of vitamin C may include the following.
Wound healing
Vitamin C helps the body produce collagen and is present in skin, muscle, and other tissues.
People with a low intake of vitamin C may experience slower wound healing, as their bodies will be less able to produce collagen.
During times of recovery, healthcare professionals
Cardiovascular health
Vitamin C
- have antioxidant properties
- help widen the blood vessels
- improve nitric oxide production
- help reduce plaque instability in atherosclerosis
This could help protect against heart diseaseand hypertension, or high blood pressure.
However, there is
Cataracts and age-related macular degeneration
Vitamin C
Experts believe that oxidative stress may be a factor in both conditions, so any benefit may be due to vitamin C’s antioxidant activity.
Diabetes
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After taking supplements for 4 months, the participants’ glucose levels and blood pressure improved, compared with taking a placebo. This suggests that vitamin C could, one day, be a treatment for diabetes.
Anemia
Vitamin C enhances the absorption of iron, and some healthcare professionals recommend taking vitamin C supplements with iron tablets to improve absorption in people with iron deficiency anemia.
One
However, both groups saw similar increases in iron, suggesting that vitamin C supplementation is unnecessary for this purpose.
Pollution
Air pollution consists of various substances and chemicals that can have a negative impact on people’s health.
Allergies
During an allergic reaction, the immune system triggers an inflammatory response that can lead to symptoms such as swelling and hives. During this process, the body produces ROS, which can lead to oxidative stress.
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They also found evidence to suggest that low vitamin C levels were common in people with allergies.
Motion sickness
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Many people believe that vitamin C can cure a common cold, but research has
However, taking dosages of 200 milligrams (mg) or more per day may benefit people who:
- participate in extreme physical activity
- have exposure to cold temperatures
- have low vitamin C levels due to smoking
Vitamin C may help treat cancer, though experts have not confirmed this.
As an antioxidant, vitamin C protects the body from oxidative stress, which can occur when ROS levels are high. Oxidative stress can lead to cell damage and may play a role in some cancers.
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Intravenous vitamin C
Sources
The best sources of vitamin C are fresh fruits and vegetables. However, heat and cooking in water can destroy some of the vitamin C content in these foods, so eating raw foods is best.
Some good sources of vitamin C include:
- red and green peppers
- oranges and orange juice
- grapefruit
- kiwifruit
- strawberries
- spinach and other green, leafy vegetables
- tomatoes
- potatoes
- green peas
Who is at risk of deficiency?
Those at risk of vitamin C deficiency
- people who smoke or have exposure to secondhand smoke
- infants who consume only evaporated or boiled milk
- people who do not consume a varied diet
- people with certain health conditions, especially those that involve intestinal malabsorption
Smoking and having exposure to other pollutants can lead to oxidative stress. Antioxidants, such as vitamin C, can help reduce oxidative stress.
People who smoke tend to have lower levelsof vitamin C than people who do not smoke. This may be due to having higher levels of oxidative stress.
Smoking also causes inflammation and damage to the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat, and lungs.
Vitamin C is necessary for healthy mucosa and helps reduce inflammation, so the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommend that people who smoke consume
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