Vitamin C

Description

Overview

Vitamin C’s role in immune enhancement has been strongly evidenced in supplementation research to increase natural killer cell activity, lymphocyte proliferation and immune balance.1 Vitamin C is also a potent antioxidant, acting to neutralize free radical damage to cells, including DNA, lipids and proteins. As a free radical neutralizing agent, vitamin C readily donates electrons to unstable molecules and breaks the chain of free radical damage to cells and tissues.2 Vitamin C is also involved in the synthesis of collagen, Carnitine and neurotransmitters.2-4 The vitamin is considered essential to humans, and while most mammals are able to synthesize vitamin C, humans cannot. As a result, exposure to smoke, pollution, radiation, heavy metal exposure and high-stress lifestyles all increase the body’s requirement for vitamin C

Deficiency†

Severe vitamin C deficiency has been known for many centuries as scurvy, a condition characterized by subcutaneous bleeding, poor wound closure, bruising easily, hair and tooth loss and joint pain or swelling.2 While scurvy is rare in the majority of today’s population, current lifestyle factors raise the requirement for vitamin C. Adequate intake and retention is necessary to maintain healthy vitamin C status in the body.

Cardiovascular Health†

Research has shown vitamin C to have a strong relationship with cardiovascular health. In 2004, a pooled analysis of nine prospective cohort studies found that supplemental vitamin C intake (>400 mg/day for a mean of 10 years) supported cardiovascular health.5 A meta-analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessed the effect of vitamin C supplementation on blood fats6 among 549 subjects, aged 48- 82 years of age. Subjects received vitamin C supplements or placebo at doses ranging from 500 to 2,000 mg/day for 4 to 24 weeks. Overall, vitamin C supplementation had a significant impact on maintaining healthy blood fats. In addition, crosssectional studies have indicated that plasma vitamin C concentration helps maintain healthy blood pressure levels in both men and women.7-9

Immune Function & Antioxidant Support†

Vitamin C supplementation has been studied for more than six decades for its role in supporting the body during immune challenges.It has been shown to stimulate both the production10,11 and function12,13 of white blood cells, especially neutrophils, lymphocytes and phagocytes. These immune guardians have been shown to accumulate high concentrations of vitamin C, which can protect these cell types from oxidative damage.14,15 Through its potent antioxidant functions, vitamin C has been shown to protect white blood cells from self-inflicted oxidative damage.16

Connective Tissue Health†

Vitamin C’s role in collagen formation makes it vital to maintaining skin, capillary, gum, joint and skeletal health.[17] The antioxidant properties of vitamin C and its role in collagen synthesis make vitamin C vital to skin health. Keratinocytes have a high capacity for vitamin C transport, to compensate for limited blood flow to the epidermis.18,19 Vitamin C’s role in normal tissue repair and recovery may include promoting keratinocyte differentiation,20,21 stimulating the formation of the epidermal barrier and re-establishing the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the epidermis.22 Higher intakes of dietary vitamin C have been correlated with a decreased risk of dry skin.23