Importance of Vitamin C in Body Essay

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Vitamin C is not endogenously created in the human body, which is why it is essential that human beings receive enough Vitamin C in their diet. Diseases like scurvy can result from inadequate intake of Vitamin C, also known as L-ascorbic acid. Vitamin C performs a plethora of functions in the human body. It is an antioxidant, it is involved in protein metabolism, and is "required for the biosynthesis of collagen, L-carnitine, and certain neurotransmitters," (National Institutes of Health, 2016). Because of the role of collagen in wound healing, it can be said that Vitamin C facilitates wound healing (NIH, 2016). Because of its antioxidant functions, Vitamin C is also critical for optimal immune system functioning (NIH, 2016). Vitamin C also improves the absorption of plant-based iron, or nonheme iron (NIH, 2016). Vitamin C is water soluble and is excreted in the urine.



Absorption rates are optimal at moderate levels of intake, between 30 and 180 mg per day. Higher levels are not harmful, however, and may improve tissue and plasma production. "Results from pharmacokinetic studies indicate that oral doses of 1.25 g/day ascorbic acid produce mean peak plasma vitamin C concentrations of 135 micromol/L," and these levels are "about two times higher than those produced by consuming 200 -- 300 mg/day ascorbic acid from vitamin C-rich foods," (NIH, 2016).

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Therefore, even when foods rich in Vitamin C are consumed, it may be helpful to supplement with additional Vitamin C.


Benefits and Side Effects



Supplementing with Vitamin C enhances the body's ability to absorb iron, promotes wound healing, and helps the repair and maintenance of healthy bones, teeth, and cartilage (Wax, 2015). Other benefits of Vitamin C supplementation may include shorter durations of common colds, and "somewhat milder symptoms," although there is no evidence that supplementation reduces the risk of catching a cold (Wax, 2015). Vitamin C supplementation may be especially helpful for smokers, many of whom have low levels of Vitamin C because smoking cigarettes depletes Vitamin C from the body (Erlich, 2013). Low levels of Vitamin C are associated with a number of adverse health effects; low levels of Vitamin C increases the risk of high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, gallbladder disease, stroke, and even some cancers (Erlich, 2013). Anemia, bleeding gums, dry hair and skin, and swollen joints may all be indications of deficiency (Wax, 2015). Therefore, supplementation might decrease the risk for….....

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References


Erlich, S.D. (2013). Vitamin C. University of Maryland Medical Center. Retrieved online: http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/vitamin-c-ascorbic-acid

National Institutes of Health (NIH, 2016). Vitamin C. Retrieved online: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Vitaminc-Healthprofessional/

Wax, E. (2015). Vitamin C. United States National Library of Medicine. Retrieved online: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002404.htm

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