The winter season is here and there is bound to be a spurt in colds, cough and viral diseases. Hence, it is very important to take protective and preventive action. While being clothed for the occasion is the first step, there are quite a few other things that also should be taken into account. Increasing resistance power and strengthening the immune system is very important. Over the next few lines we will have a closer look at Vitamin C and how it positively impacts phagocytes and T-cells and helps increase the immune power all around. However, before learning more about it there are some basic information that we should know about this wonder Vitamin.
Water Soluble Vitamin
Vitamin C is water soluble. In other words, the body does not store it and therefore it has to be replenished on a daily basis. Therefore daily intake of this essential vitamin is not a choice but a compulsion. The biggest role of this vitamin is to protect the cells of our body and keep them healthy. When cells are healthy it automatically results in better immunity and resistance to diseases. It has known properties to fight the negative impact of free-radicals. This is because it is a rich antioxidant source. It would be pertinent to mention here that any reasonably well thought out food would give the necessary amount of Vitamin C. Only those who depend entirely on processed foods are likely to be deprived of their daily RDA of Vitamin C.
Phagocytes And T-Cells And Its Connection With Vitamin C
If we understand the functioning of Phagocytes and T-Cells better we will be able to understand how big and important the role of Vitamin C is. Phagocytes are known for their ability to store this essential vitamin much more efficiently than other cells. These white cells in any normal human-being could have 25 times more concentration of Vitamin C compared with platelets and other cells. Hence improper or tardy consumption of this vitamin will lead to depletion of stored vitamins in Phagocytes and this will seriously compromise the immune function. We have to bear in mind that Phagocytes are famous for consuming debris and other pathogens which otherwise could have played havoc with our immune system.
T-Cells also have a very important role in regulating and increasing the immunity of our cells against diseases. They perform very well what is known as cell mediated immunity. Presence of vitamin C in the T-cells helps in T-lymphocyte proliferation. This helps a lot in fighting many diseases and also in battling many forms of cancer. Hence there is no doubt that Vitamin C is just not another nutrient that can be taken lightly. It has a very big role to play in combating various forms of dangerous and common diseases.
As mentioned in the beginning since it gets synthesized with water, it has to be taken daily so that the required replenishment can be available to the T-Cells and Phagocytes which have such an important and crucial role to play.
References
http://www.peakenergy.com/articles/nh20140222/Vitamin-C-is-the-‘muscle’-of-the-immune-system
http://www.webmd.boots.com/vitamins-and-minerals/features/the-benefits-of-vitamin-c
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