As winter approaches, bringing with it colder temperatures and the onset of chilly days, many of us find ourselves susceptible to catching a cold. The common cold typically lingers for about a week, and historically, our go-to remedy has been vitamin C.
Article At a Glanc:
- Scurvy: Vitamin C Deficiency Through History
- What is the main function of vitamin C in the body?
- Essential Nutrient for Collagen Production
- The Importance to Amino Acid Metabolism
- Can Vitamin C Prevent Heart Disease?
Scurvy: Vitamin C Deficiency Through History
For centuries, doctors and explorers embarked on quests to unravel the mysteries behind the debilitating diseases that plagued seafarers, wreaking havoc on their bodies and minds.
Through their endeavors, we now understand that these maladies were often the result of chronic vitamin C deficiency, stemming from a lack of access to fresh fruits and vegetables. The earliest recorded instance of using sour lemons to treat scurvy during a Pacific voyage dates back to 1593.
While scurvy may no longer be prevalent today, vitamin C deficiency can still pose significant health risks, including heightened susceptibility to various infections and impaired wound healing. Additionally, it has been implicated in numerous diseases where oxidative stress plays a role.
What is the main function of vitamin C in the body?
Vitamin C (ascorbate) has many functions throughout the body, and a small amount can be found in all types of cells. As an antioxidant, vitamin C provides protection against oxidative stress-induced cellular damage by scavenging reactive oxygen species. At high levels, it is maintained in most immune cells, making it a key nutrient for our immune system.
Vitamin C is involved in the formation of the skin barrier and collagen in the dermis. It plays a physiological role in protecting the skin against oxidation, combating wrinkles, and regulating cell signal pathways for growth and differentiation. These processes are linked to the occurrence and development of various skin diseases.
Vitamin C also stimulates the proper production of white blood cells and facilitates the destruction of cells that have already absorbed unwanted pathogens and need to be eliminated. Additionally, it helps reduce fatigue, and larger doses of vitamin C may lead to a greater reduction in the duration of the common cold.
Essential Nutrient for Collagen Production
Vitamin C is an absolutely essential cofactor for enzymes involved in the synthesis of collagen, a protein crucial for the health of supporting tissues, bones, cartilage, joints, blood vessels, and skin. This is why joint and muscle pain is often associated with vitamin C deficiency. Additionally, the process of epithelialization and wound healing can be affected, as adequate collagen synthesis in skin cells is necessary for repairing skin tissue.
The Importance to Amino Acid Metabolism
Vitamin C also serves as a cofactor in the biosynthesis of carnitine, a molecule required for the oxidation of fatty acids. Additionally, ascorbic acid is necessary for normal tyrosine metabolism, which influences aspects such as memory and performance in stressful situations. Many neurotransmitters are derived from amino acids, with tyrosine serving as the precursor to neurotransmitters like norepinephrine or dopamine.
Can Vitamin C Prevent Heart Disease?
Vitamin C has been shown to be an effective therapeutic agent for reducing total serum cholesterol levels, as it stimulates the initial step in cholesterol metabolism to bile acids. Some studies also suggest that vitamin C can slow down the progression of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Its powerful antioxidant effect can prevent harmful oxidation of fats such as cholesterol and polyunsaturated fatty acids. It is actually the oxidized form of these compounds that readily deposits in the arteries. Furthermore, vitamin C has been shown to enhance iron absorption by capturing non-heme iron and storing it in a form that is more easily absorbed by the body.