Vitamin C As Anti Oxidant
Vitamin C is one of the most commonly used supplements, often associated with the common cold. However, the benefits of Vitamin C reach far beyond its connection with the common cold. It prevents oxygen and free radicals from damaging body tissue. Vitamin C is necessary for the production of proteins, collagen and elastin, which strengthen arteries, bones, teeth, cartilage, and other tissues. It helps the body absorb iron, helps lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol, and reduces the effects of some allergy-producing substances. Taking Vitamin C in conjunction with other supplements, such as MSM, further enhances its benefits. 6
Unlike most animals, human beings are unable to manufacture their own Vitamin C from glucose; therefore, it must be obtained daily through food and supplementation. Animals that make their own Vitamin C are able to increase production in response to stress, infection, and free radical toxins. Because humans must obtain Vitamin C from outside sources, diet alone may not provide adequate amounts of Vitamin C - especially in times of stress or illness. The use of tobacco also greatly decreases the absorption of Vitamin C. It’s very important for those who smoke (or who live with those who smoke) to get additional amounts of Vitamin C. Carbon monoxide (car exhaust) also destroys Vitamin C. Therefore, those living in the city may need to increase their intake. 6
One major source of antioxidants in the diet is fruit juice, particularly orange juice which is rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C is used widely in food manufacturing to prevent spoilage (oxidation). In the same way, vitamin C is believed to protect human cells from oxidation by free radicals. However, a number of clinical trials, involving vitamin C supplementation, produced disappointing results. This has left researchers wondering whether the antioxidant capacity of orange juice might be due to other nutrients, not vitamin C. 45
Antioxidant supplements are extremely useful to ensure that people obtain sufficient vitamin c. With a balanced diet the amount of vitamin c the body receives can be sufficient. However, if a person begins feeling tired or lethargic then a vitamin c supplement will help overcome this. There is no danger of having too much c vitamin as the body simply excretes the excess. Taking an antioxidant supplement will not only provide the extra vitamin c that may be desired, but it will provide many other beneficial antioxidants as well. 25
First and foremost, it helps the immune system to fight off foreign invaders and tumor cells. Vitamin C also supports the cardiovascular system by facilitating fat metabolism and protecting tissues from free radical damage, and it assists the nervous system by converting certain amino acids into neurotransmitters. 1
World Image Naturals’ Vitamin C Extra is pure and natural, with no harmful additives. These bioflavonoids greatly improve the body’s ability to absorb and hold onto Vitamin C. Without bioflavonoids Vitamin C is not effective. Vitamin C Extra also contains Grape Seed Extract, which is a powerful antioxidant with many other health benefits. 6
Tocopherols mainly act as a free radical chain breaking antioxidant in liposomes (15) and cellular membranes, but they also possess reactivity as singlet oxygen quenchers and in repairing free radical damages in proteins. The reducing properties of tocopherols are also matched by ascorbate, however the lipophilic nature of vitamin E provides it with access to lipid sites in membranes and lipoproteins, a level at which ascorbate cannot act. In the case of quinones bearing hydrophobic chains, as ubiquinone, the excited state would be confined to the hydrophobic phase, and the lipidic nature of tocopherols would confer an important advantage. 12
But the use of collagen in beauty and skin products only hints at the importance of this protein. The very structure of the body - the skin, bones, teeth, blood vessels, cartilage, tendons and ligaments - depends on collagen. And the integrity of collagen, in tum, depends on vitamin C. 1
The researchers then tested the subjects’ blood to discover whether the drinks had affected resistance to free radical damage on blood DNA (genetic material from blood cells). The results showed that DNA damage was 18% lower when subjects had drunk the pure blood orange juice. The protective effect persisted for 24 hours. No such effect was seen with either the ‘vitamin C’ or ‘vitamin-free’ test drinks. This was despite the fact that the ‘vitamin C’ drink contained as much vitamin C as the pure orange juice (150mg/glass). 45
Antioxidant nutrients are often thought of as enhancing immune function. Vitamin C, in particular, is generally perceived as useful in the prevention and treatment of the common cold. Some evidence does support a role of vitamin C, vitamin E, and carotenoids in enhancing immunity. 37
As a water-soluble antioxidant, vitamin C is in a unique position to "scavenge" aqueous peroxyl radicals before these destructive substances have a chance to damage the lipids. It works along with vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant, and the enzyme glutathione peroxidase to stop free radical chain reactions. 1
Such effects of these large doses of ascorbate cannot be readily explained from its known vitamin functions. The spectrum of diseases affected by massive doses of ascorbate is a wonder in itself, but also gives some hint at the probable mechanisms involved. The sudden detoxifying effect experienced clinically only at the very high threshold doses, suggests that ascorbate is participating in chemical reactions where a critical concentration of ascorbate is necessary, or where a certain ratio between ascorbate and certain other reactants must be achieved. The concept that free radicals and other highly reactive oxidants are a frequent factor in pathologic processes (7,8) and that ascorbate is an antioxidant free radical scavenger, could explain much of this. 20
Because of the widespread effects of oxidation in the body, it is possible that antioxidants protect against a wide array of other ailments, such as certain respiratory disorders. Asthma is characterized by chronic airway inflammation. The generation of oxygen free radicals by activated inflammatory cells produces many of the pathophysiologic changes associated with asthma and may contribute to its pathogenesis. Therefore, antioxidant nutrients may play a role in the prevention and treatment of asthma. 37
The ability of blood vessels to relax or dilate is compromised in individuals with atherosclerosis. The damage to the heart muscle caused by a heart attack and damage to the brain caused by a stroke is related, in part, to the inability of blood vessels to dilate enough to allow blood flow to the affected areas. The pain of angina pectoris is also related to insufficient dilation of the coronary arteries. Treatment with vitamin C has consistently resulted in improved dilation of blood vessels in individuals with atherosclerosis as well as those with angina pectoris, congestive heart failure, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Improved blood vessel dilation has been demonstrated at a dose of 500 mg of vitamin C daily (28). 2
A-Antioxidants are substances or nutrients in foods that can prevent or slow the oxidative damage to the body. When the body cells use oxygen, they naturally produce free radicals (in simple words by-products) that can cause damage. Antioxidants act as "free radical scavengers" and therfore prevent and repair damage done by those free radicals. Health problems like heart disease, macular degeneration, diabetes, cancer etc are all conduced by oxidative damage. Vitamin C has been considered as good antioxidant agent. Amla being very rich in Vitamin C serves the purpose. 48
References
The Panacea offers these health-extracts to help people investigate health-related subjects in greater depth using the references given in each paragraph. Kindly note that these are current extracts from the web, meant for research, and that these are not meant to be medical advise. For all your health-related needs you must consult trained and licensed personnel.
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