Vitamin C

History of discovery

In 1535 a sailboat was slowly approaching to the bank of the distant Newfoundland, which is located in North America. On it there were members of the expedition of Jacques Cartier, or rather what had remained of gallant crew. During the voyage across the Atlantic, most of the crew died of scurvy. The surviving sailors in anticipation of imminent collapse erected the image of Christ and frantically prayed for a miracle. A miracle came, but not from the sky, but in the guise of an Indian, who drank weakened, dying travelers with a decoction of bark of a local tree. This is when Europeans first came across a wonderful action of one of the most important vitamins - ascorbic acid.

The biological role of vitamin C due to its involvement in many redox reactions as well as in the biosynthesis of special connective tissue proteins: collagen and elastin - basic components of cartilage, bone, vascular walls.

In the absence of vitamin C blood vessels, particularly small ones are brittle. Capillary fragility leads to bleeding, numerous hemorrhages, "habitual" bruises. Gradually deficit reached alarming proportions and can cause death.

In recent years, new ways of participation of ascorbic acid in the metabolism and maintenance of human health were opened. It is assumed that this vitamin is involved in the oxidation and excretion of cholesterol and thus plays an important role in the prevention of lipid metabolism, leading to the development of one of the most terrible diseases of modern man - atherosclerosis.

It is also shown that vitamin C prevents the formation of nitrosamines in the body - substances with a powerful carcinogenic effect, i.e., the ability to cause cancer.

Ascorbic acid facilitates intestinal absorption and assimilation of iron. This element is very deficient, especially among richly menstruating women, which, in turn, leads to the so-called iron deficiency (anemia). That is why during the prevention and treatment of anemia, along with iron supplementation, ascorbic acid is administered and it is advised to eat more fresh vegetables, fruits, all sorts of greens.

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) refers to water-soluble vitamins. It is an indispensable vitamin for humans; it is not synthesized in human body, and is supplied only with food; it does not accumulate in the body in large amounts.

Molecule of vitamin C is so simple that it can penetrate the blood through the mucous membrane of the mouth while eating, because vitamin C deficiency in the cells should be immediately remedied. The fact that this substance immediately enters the exchange process, makes a person immune to pathogens and sharpens his mind, protecting him against risks. Incoming with the food, vitamin C begins to absorb in the mouth and in the stomach, but the biggest amount of it is absorbed in the small intestine.

Vitamin C easily infiltrates leukocytes, platelets, and then - all the tissues; the largest concentration is achieved in glandular organs, leukocytes, liver and lens of the eye; it is deposited in the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland, adrenal cortex, the eye epithelium, intermediate cells seminal gland, ovary, liver, spleen, pancreas, lung, kidney, intestinal wall, heart, muscles, thyroid gland; crosses the placenta. The concentration of ascorbic acid in leukocytes and platelets is higher than in plasma and erythrocytes.

When deficient state of concentration in leukocytes reduced later and more slowly and is regarded as the best criterion for assessing the deficit than the concentration of it in plasma.

Excess of the vitamin C is excreted by the kidneys, through the intestines, sweat, breast milk in the form of unmodified ascorbate and metabolites. Excretes during the hemodialysis. At high doses the elimination rate increases sharply.

What does vitamin C do?

Vitamin C performs two important tasks: to provide immune protection and to stabilize the psyche.

Stimulating the synthesis of interferon, vitamin increases the amount of antibodies in the blood and stimulates the secretion of hormones of the thymus, which is a headquarters of the immune system, strengthens the immune system, increases its resistance to infection; is an indispensable tool in the treatment of colds, SARS, influenza, is widely used for the prevention of these diseases.

Ascorbic acid is the worst enemy of all pathogens, parasites, viruses, bacteria, and first of all - free radicals. Because they bring aging and, ultimately, death, vitamin C is the best means of preserving life force. Although vitamin C protects us from free radicals, it gets damaged itself through contact with them. Bioflavins protect vitamin C from the premature destruction and increase its effectiveness by 20 times.

In our psychic sphere vitamin C stimulates the production of hormones and neuropeptides, especially neurotransmitters (nerve stimulating substances), which are transmitted via our experience. Just as the healthy cells of the body are always young, the feelings when hormonal structure is healthy are almost always positive. Vitamin C plays the significant and perhaps a major role in shaping the elation of a man.

Vitamin C is actively involved in the process of creative knowledge of the world.

Vitamin C is directly related to the emotional sphere: the manifestation of delight it is impossible without it.

Vitamin C has another important auxiliary task. It strengthens the connective tissues, smoothes blood vessels, ranging from thick veins and ending with the microscopic capillaries. Vitamin C helps with varicose veins and hemorrhoids, eliminates folds and wrinkles. It increases the elasticity and strength of blood vessels. It is vital for the white blood cells functioning.

By participating in the biosynthesis of elastin blood vessels, ascorbic acid keeps them healthy, strengthens blood vessels, ensure the normal capillary permeability. It supports the colloidal state of the intercellular substance and normal capillary permeability. It also accelerates the healing of wounds, burns, bleeding gums. An interesting discovery was made recently. It turned out that in the center of a fresh wound there is always a large amount of vitamin C.

Ascorbic acid plays a fundamental biochemical and physiological role in the normal development and regeneration of connective tissue. Vitamin C is involved in the biosynthesis of the main protein of connective tissue – collagen, in the formation of the crosslinks between the fibers of these proteins that stabilize the three-dimensional net-like structure of the protein.

Vitamin C ensures you healthy gums and strong teeth.

Vividly this process manifests itself in the gums and jaw alveoli, which are different from all the other bones of the body because of the highest calcium content. Here our teeth which has to withstand heavy loads when biting food are attached. Higher doses of vitamin C can eliminate bleeding gums in the blink of an eye, because it can strengthen the countless small vessels in the tissues of the gums in literally half an hour.

Calcium alone is too slow to pass the path to the cells of the body, especially when there is a lot of it. Along with the vitamin C, it forms chemical complexes, called chelates and with them and is delivered to the desired location. Without vitamin C the calcium loses half of its useful qualities.

Vitamin C stabilizes weight

Vitamin C is involved in the synthesis of carnitine from the amino acid lysine. It has a paramount importance for all obese people. Carnitine catches the fat molecules from the blood and delivers them into cells for energy production and oxidation. Because it is vitamin C which provides the production of stress hormones, which turns fat into digestible form, it cares about the harmony of our figure more than anyone else.

How much vitamin C do you need?

Preventive doses are adjusted on the basis of the daily requirement of vitamins. For vitamin C, it is on average 100 mg per day.

Where can it be found?

Vitamin C can be found mostly in fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs. Rosehips, sea buckthorn, black currant, red pepper are real storage of the vitamin. Products of animal origin practically do not contain it.

Vitamin C

History of discovery

What does vitamin C do?

How much vitamin C do you need?

Where can it be found?

Vitamin C is contained in the following medicines:

Vitamin C is contained in the following biologically active supplements: