Vitamin C a Health Booster.
Vitamin C is an essential constituent of a healthy diet. It is the active form of ascorbic acid that influences growth and maintenance of healthy tissues in both children and adults. While its biological roles are quite pervasive at the cellular level, our body is not capable of producing it in amounts adequate to support normal physiological functions. Hence, consumptions of foods with significant levels of vitamin C and supplementation are the only sure way to meet the daily value for this nutrient.
L-ascorbate or L-ascorbic acid are used synonymously with vitamin C. High ascorbate levels in the blood have been linked to stronger immune system, the reason why it is often marketed to reduce the severity and duration of cold infections. In addition, it is a potent antioxidant that significantly raises cellular defenses against oxidative stress. Recent studies question the effects of supplementation, but vitamin C supplements have not been tied to any adverse effects, whether natural or synthetic.
Vitamin C and growth
Growth and Development
In human biology, vitamin C is almost always associated with collagen, which is a component of the majority of tissues that make up the human body. Collagen is found everywhere in connective tissues solely responsible for the upkeep of the skin, joint tissues, tendons, ligaments, bones, blood vessels, and intestines. The availability of vitamin C, or the lack of it, impacts the health of these tissues. One vitamin C deficiency is gout a connective tissue disease that is very painful.
The active forms of ascorbic acid are also indispensable in muscular and nervous systems. In addition to maintaining healthy collagen levels in the skeletal system, vitamin C helps create muscle tissues and provide nourishment for their continued growth. In the nervous system, it raises the levels of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine, which promote mental well being and combat stress.
Healing and Immune Function
As you might have guessed by now, vitamin C is pivotal in the healing of all tissues. L-ascorbate is present in almost all cells at varying quantities. Tissues make use of ascorbic acid to speed up recuperation from physical activity or harmful effects of infections. This is one of the mechanisms by which vitamin C protects the body from exhaustion characteristic of stress.
Numerous studies have pointed out that high serum ascorbate levels boost immune responses to many known illnesses. For example, individuals infected with AIDS who consume healthy amounts of vitamin C have been noted to effectively ward off opportunistic diseases. In fact, vitamin C has been the subject of many researches looking into its medicinal potential against cancer.
Vitamin C a Powerful Antioxidant
Antioxidants and Detox
Ascorbic acid is one of the most reliable antioxidants. It is among the earliest chemical compound discovered to neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is now believed to bring on the deleterious consequences of the process of aging. In biochemistry, ROS are a group of compounds and radicals known to cause damage to cells and tissues over time. Vitamin C is the best known antioxidant proven to detoxify free radicals and recycle other compounds identified to have antioxidant properties, such as tocopherols or vitamin E.
Vitamin C is an inexpensive and effective supplement to help one boost their health and wellness. If you do not consume vitamin C daily, your immune system and body may not be functioning at peak performance! Get some and take it daily!