GSE
Functions of Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid/Ascorbate) Major WATER-Soluble Antioxidant
Functions of Vitamin C
(Ascorbic
acid/Ascorbate)
Major WATER -Soluble antioxidant
In the body.
Antioxidants sacrifice themselves on our behalf. Antioxidants
donate their electrons to free radicals which would otherwise steal them from and
so damage parts of your body. Likewise in food, antioxidants protect it from decay.
- AA
is a Free Radical
Scavenger. Oxidizing free radicals
and harmful oxygen-derived species. E.g. hydroxyl
radical, hydrogen peroxide and
singlet oxygen ;
AA being a water-soluble antioxidant is significant
because ~70% of the body is water. The brain is an easy target for oxidative damage
and since antioxidant levels tend to diminish with age, it is not unexpected to
find more brain related problems in the elderly, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
In Foods.
AA ,
predominant in fresh foods, is easily oxidized to
DHAA during processing, storage, preparation and cooking.
DHAA is then either converted back
to AA (by an enzymatic process involving dehydro-ascorbate
reductase), or oxidized into irreversible, non-ascorbutic products.
- AA
is a strong antioxidant in an AQUEOUS solution
- AA
is much more easily oxidized in an ALKALINE and AEROBIC environment
- UV RADIATION
(e.g. sunlight) will
oxidize AA,
regardless of oxygen presence .
Manufacture of collagen
Collagen is the main protein substance which holds most
of the body tissue together. Giving structure to bones, cartilage, tendons,
ligaments, muscle, blood vessels, heart valves, invertebral discs, cornea, retina,
skin, teeth, capillary walls, joint linings and the ground substance between cells.
AA works as a coenzyme to convert (hydroxylate) amino acids proline and lysine to
hydroxyproline (needed for a stable extracellular matrix) and hydroxylysine (needed
for formation of cross-links in the fibers), both important to the collagen structure.
- Aging lines and wrinkles
in the skin. The result of decreased collagen production.
- Examples of Collagen
necessity. Wound repair, healing burns, healthy gums, arterial integrity,
prevention of easy bruising, and bone fracture.
Major Anti-inflammatory / Antiviral / Antibacterial / Antifungal
activities
. . . as a result of Vitamin C's multiple
roles in immune system enhancement,
antioxidant ability,
adrenal support and collagen production
Anti-inflammatory Activity.
In its
antioxidant and immunity roles,
vitamin C combats inflammation-causing microorganisms,
irritants, and free radicals, improving conditions such as cystitis, bronchitis,
prostatitis, bursitis, osteo/rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic skin problems, e.g.
dermatitis; vitamin C 's enhancementof collagen
production may also improve joint membrane integrity in arthritis;In gouty arthritis,
vitamin C improves the elimination of the irritant,
uric acid, through the kidneys.
Anti-Bacterial Activity.
"It is likely that the bactericidal effect of
ascorbic acid takes place by way of free radicals
formed during oxidation of ascorbic acid in
the presence of hydrogen peroxide .
Hydrogen peroxide is formed during the reaction
of ascorbic acid and oxygen, and macrophages lack peroxidase. It has been shown
that ascorbic acid and hydrogen peroxide together have a pronounced bactericidal
effect, which is increased by a small concentration of copper ions. The presence
of free radicals has been demonstrated by electron-spin resonance spectroscopy,
and the bactericidal activity is completely inhibited by free-radical inhibitors."
Linus Pauling, 1974
Anti-viral Activity
Several bacterial viruses
(aka bacteriophage, infects/replicates inside bacteria)
are 99% inactivated by 20 min. exposure to ascorbate concentrations.
This can be attained in the blood by a large C
intake. Murata, A., K. Kitagawa, and R. Saruno. 1971. Inactivation
of bacteriophages by ascorbic acid. Agr. Biol. Chem. 36:1065-1067.
Viral inactivation does not occur in the absence
of oxygen. Study concluded that deactivation results from
single-strand scissions of phage DNA by free radicals formed
during the autoxidation of AA.
Murata, 1973
- Some protection against viral diseases:
poliomyelitis, hepatitis, fever blisters, shingles, virus pneumonia, measles, chicken
pox, virus encephalitis, mumps, infectious mononucleosis
Stone I, 1972
Anti-fungal activity
Controls allergic response
In the presence of copper ions,
vitamin C
prevents histamine accumulation, which
assists in its degradation/elimination.
Evidence exists that vitamin C also modulates
prostaglandin synthesis to modulate histamine response and cause relaxation
Boosts immunity
Seems to enhance combative white blood cell (WBC) function
and activity; C helpful against bacterial,
viral, and fungal diseases
• Increases interferon
levels
• Increases secretion of thymic
hormones, which stimulate WBC production
• Inhibits oxidative destruction
of WBC's - increases their mobility
• Increases serum
immunoglobulins (antibodies)
• Leukocytes have highest C
concentration of any blood cells
• Some studies show WBC increase
at doses of 3-10g of vitamin C
•
High blood sugar reduces Immune System benefits of vitamin C
Needed for body's enzyme systems
300 known enzyme systems require
vitamin C
Heavy metal chelation
Vitamin C is a powerful chelating
agent for heavy metals
Helps Increase Thyroid Hormone Production
Vitamin C
stimulates production of thyroxine (T4)
Reduce blood cholesterol levels
Aids in cholesterol metabolism and elimination
Aids hepatic production of bile from cholesterol
Enhances vitamins
Works synergistically with
Vitamin E and
Beta-carotene .
Vitamin C ,
vitamin E, and
beta-carotene
both reinforce and extend each other's
antioxidant
properties and activities.
Indirectly protects vitamins
A ,
E , and some
B vitamins from oxidation (including
riboflavin, thiamine, folic acid, and pantothenic
acid);
Enhances B-vitamins -
By vitamin C 's influence on intestinal
flora. Helps metabolize folic acid (Vitamin B9) by helping to regulate conversion
of folic acid to folinic acid;
References Murata, A., K. Kitagawa, and R. Saruno (1971)
Inactivation of bacteriophages by ascorbic acid. Agr. Biol. Chem. 36:1065-1067.
Linus Pauling (1974 (Nov) Nat. Acad. Science
USA
Stone I (1972) "The Healing Factor: Vitamin C against
disease"
