Facts
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A water-soluble vitamin,
vitamin C is absorbed via the mucous membranes
in the mouth, the stomach and upper part of the
small intestine.1 |
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Vitamin C is often referred
to as a "stress vitamin." It is stored in the
adrenal glands as the vitamin that is important
for the formation of adrenaline. During periods
of stress, adrenal ascorbic acid is rapidly used.
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Most vitamin C is excreted
by the body 3 to 4 hours after initially ingested.
Blood levels of vitamin C or ascorbic acid reach
their peak 2-3 hours after ingestion and are then
eliminated in the urine or perspiration. |
Functions
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Vitamin C is an antioxidant
that is necessary for tissue repair and growth,
adrenal gland function and healthy gums.2 It helps
maintain collagen, a protein involved in the formation
of connective tissue.1 |
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Because it assists in
the formation of connective tissue, vitamin C
aids in healing wounds and burns. It also facilitates
the formation of red blood cells which can help
prevent hemorrhaging.1 |
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As an antioxidant, it
protects the brain and spinal cord against damage
caused by free radicals.1 It also is useful in
bacterial infections and fending off the common
cold 1. It protects against the damaging effects
of pollution, helps prevent cancer, cardiovascular
disease and enhances immunity.2 |
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Promotes iron absorption
by reducing ferric to ferrous iron. |
Requirements
The Recommended Daily Allowance has been
set at 60mg for Vitamin C.
Signs of Deficiency
Scurvy is the classic deficiency disease.
Other common signs of deficiency include: swollen, bleeding
gums; susceptibility to infection such as colds; joint
pain; lack of energy; poor digestion; extended healing
time and tendency to bruise easily.
Signs of Toxicity
Vitamin C is relatively non-toxic as it is
excreted in the urine. Large doses of vitamin C (multi-
grams) may result in diarrhoea and aggravate kidney
stones in people prone to kidney stone formation.
Current Research
Cancer
Researchers at the International Agency for
Research on Cancer in France found, after assessing
the dietary intake of 301 men and women with stomach
tumors, that high intakes of vitamin C, as with other
antioxidants and nutrients, was associated with a decreased
risk of gastric cancer.4 In a separate study, vitamin
C was found to confer a protective effect against H.
pylori-related gastric cancer.5
Cardiovascular Disease
Studies show that vitamin C may prevent homocysteine
from damaging large blood vessels. Homocysteine is an
amino acid that plays a role in blood clots and hardening
of the arteries, conditions which can lead to heart
attack or stroke.6 A study conducted in Finland found
that men lacking adequate levels of vitamin had nearly
a 2.5 to 3.5 times higher risk of suffering a heart
attack than men who had sufficient levels of vitamin
C.7
1 Dunne, L.J. Nutrition Almanac, 3rd ed.
McGraw-Hill Publishing Company, 1990: pp.44-53.
2 Balch, J.F. and P.A. Prescription for Nutritional
Healing. Avery Publishing, 1997: pp. 18-19.
3 Dubick M., Omaye S. Vitamin C. http://www.nutrition.org/nutinfo/content/vic.shtml.
4
Kaaks R, Tuyns
AJ, Haelterman M, Riboli E. Nutrient intake patters
and gastric caner risk:a case-control studying Belgium.
Int J Cancer 1998; Nov 9; 78(4):415-20.
5 Zhang ZW, Patchett SE, Perrett D, Katelaria PH,
Domisio P, Farthing MJ. The relation between gastric
vitamin C concentrations, mucosal histology, and CagA
seropositivity in the human stomach. Gut 1998; Sept;
43(3):322-6.
6 Barney, P. Doctor's Guide to Natural Medicine. Woodland
Publishing, 1998: pp. 37.
7 Cohen M., Bhagavan H., Ascorbic acid and gastrointestinal
cancer. J Am Col N 1995; 14:565-578.
8 Gatto L., Hallen G., Brown A., et al. Ascorbic acid
induces a favourable lipoprotein profile in women.
J Am Co N 1996; 15: 154-158.
9 Vitamin C may stop homocysteine damage. Alternative
Health News Online. http://www.altmedicine.com/app/archive.cfm?article=2430&searchquery=vitaminCandheart
10 New study of vitamin C and the heart. Alternative
Health News Online. http://www.altmedicine.com/app/archive.cfm?article=42&searchquery=vitaminCandheart
