L-ascorbic acid – role, application, symptoms of excess and deficiency. L-ascorbic acid supplementation

Proven content

L-ascorbic acid is a variant of ascorbic acid, known more widely under the popular name of vitamin C. It is a chemical compound necessary for life, occurring naturally in plant and animal organisms.

L-ascorbic acid – what is it and where does it occur?

L-ascorbic acid is a compound found naturally in many foods, such as oranges, red and green peppers, and kiwi. It is also available as a supplement. The “l” prefix denotes the chemical structure and properties of the substance. L-ascorbic acid should not be confused with levorotatory vitamin C, because in this chemical the plane of polarized light turns to the right.

Some animals and humans do not produce this substance on their own, so it must be supplied to the body with food. Vitamin C is an antioxidant with very broad properties.

See also: Do you like oranges and mandarins? Eat them with white crusts

L-ascorbic acid – application

Vitamin C contained in food is one of the most delicate and susceptible to destruction vitamins. Ascorbic acid is damaged by high temperature, sunlight or contact with air.

Research on the use of ascorbic acid in the treatment and prevention of many diseases is ongoing.

1. Asthma, chronic lung disease,
2. Bronchitis,
3. Cancer,
4. Cataract, a condition in which the eye’s lens becomes cloudy
5. Chronic or long-term pain,
6. Colds,
7. Gastritis,
8. Glaucoma,
9. Heart disease
10. High blood pressure
11. Osteoarthritis,
12. Parkinson’s disease.

There is not much evidence to support most of these uses. However, there are some promising studies.

L-Ascorbic Acid Vitamin C is available as a powder on Medonet Market.

See also: The work of the heart and its disorders. What are the most common heart diseases? [WE EXPLAIN]

The role of l-ascorbic acid in the body

Vitamin C plays many roles in the body, it is necessary for its proper functioning because:

1. is an antioxidant,
2. is involved in the activation of many enzymes,
3. facilitates the assimilation of iron,
4. affects the synthesis of neurotransmitters and corticosteroids,
5. participates in the synthesis of collagen,
6. it is necessary to maintain the well-being of connective tissue,
7. has a destructive effect on bacteria that cause caries,
8. facilitates the healing of wounds and cuts,
9. strengthens immunity.

According to research, taking ascorbic acid has no direct effect on the prevention of the so-called colds, and in the case of treating an already existing illness, its impact is low. Daily intake of vitamin C in the treatment of colds shortens its time by only 8%. in adults and 14 percent. in children.

Ascorbic acid does not protect against colds, but according to research, the results of using vitamin C in people who perform heavy physical work or in competitive sports, the effect of vitamin C on the prevention of colds increases by up to 50%.

Do you want to strengthen your child’s immunity with a vitamin C supplement? At Medonet Market you can order lozenges for children with vitamin C (100 mg).

L-ascorbic acid and high blood pressure

Ascorbic acid has long been used to treat high blood pressure or hypertension. Unfortunately, research suggests it may not be as helpful as it was once believed.

A 2012 study found that a high dose of ascorbic acid – around 500 mg per day – caused only a slight reduction in systolic blood pressure. It is a measurement of your blood pressure as your heart beats. Ascorbic acid had minimal effect on diastolic blood pressure, i.e. the measurement between strokes.

The reason why ascorbic acid affects blood pressure is not well understood. It is believed that high doses of ascorbic acid may have a mild diuretic effect. This means that it can help reduce the amount of water in our body, which can lower blood pressure.

See also: Blood pressure measurement

L-ascorbic acid and uric acid in the blood and gout attacks

Gout is a type of arthritis that affects many people around the world. It is incredibly painful and involves inflammation of the joints, especially of the big toes. People with gout experience swelling and sudden, severe attacks of pain. Gout symptoms occur when there is too much uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is a by-product produced by the body. At high levels, it can crystallize and accumulate in joints.

Interestingly, several studies have shown that ascorbic acid can help lower blood uric acid levels and, as a result, protect against gout attacks.

For example, a study of 1387 men found that those who consumed the most ascorbic acid had significantly lower blood uric acid levels than those who consumed the least. Another study followed 46 healthy men over 994 years to determine if vitamin C intake was associated with the development of gout. They found that those who took the ascorbic acid supplement had a 20% lower risk of gout.

In addition, an analysis of 13 studies found that taking an ascorbic acid supplement for 30 days significantly reduced blood uric acid levels compared to placebo. While there seems to be a strong association between ascorbic acid intake and uric acid levels, more research is needed into the effects of ascorbic acid on gout.

See also: Uric acid – the norm of serum testing

L-ascorbic acid and iron deficiency

Iron is an important nutrient that has many functions in the body. It is necessary for the production of red blood cells and the transport of oxygen throughout the body.

Ascorbic acid supplements can help improve iron absorption from your diet. Ascorbic acid helps convert poorly digestible iron, such as plant sources of iron, into a form that is easier to digest. This is especially useful for those on a meatless diet as meat is the main source of iron. In fact, consuming 100 mg of ascorbic acid alone can improve iron absorption by 67%. As a result, vitamin C can help reduce the risk of anemia in people prone to iron deficiency.

In one study, 65 children with mild iron deficiency anemia received an ascorbic acid supplement. The researchers found that the supplement itself helped control their anemia. If we are low in iron, eating more vitamin C-rich foods or taking vitamin C supplements can help improve blood iron levels.

L-ascorbic acid and vision loss

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease. People with this condition, unfortunately, lose their eyesight.

A large 2001 study looked at the role of ascorbic acid in the progression of AMD. Participants received daily vitamin C supplements along with vitamin E, beta-carotene, zinc, and copper. The study found that the supplements slowed AMD’s progression by 25%. They also helped slow the loss of sharpness and clarity in vision by 15%.

Unfortunately, scientists cannot be sure if this is due to ascorbic acid alone. Since that study, many other studies have failed to show that ascorbic acid alone is helpful in patients with AMD.

In addition, ascorbic acid has been studied as a method of preventing certain types of cataracts. A 2014 review found that 135 mg of vitamin C per day may be useful in this regard. The study also found that doses of at least 363 mg can reduce the risk of developing cataracts by 57%. However, keep in mind that there are studies showing that vitamin C supplements do not work and can even cause harm in this topic.

Also check: Ophthalmological examination

L-ascorbic acid and memory and age

Dementia is a broad term used to describe mental symptoms and memory issues. It affects over 35 million people worldwide and tends to occur among the elderly. Research suggests that oxidative stress and inflammation near the brain, spine, and nerves (collectively known as the central nervous system) may increase the risk of dementia.

Ascorbic acid is a powerful antioxidant. Low levels of this vitamin have been linked to impaired thinking and memory. What’s more, several studies have shown that people with dementia may have lower blood levels of ascorbic acid. In addition, high intake of ascorbic acid from food or supplements has been shown to have a protective effect on thinking and memory as you age.

Ascorbic acid supplements can help with conditions like dementia if you are not getting enough vitamin C in your diet. However, additional human research is needed to understand the effects of ascorbic acid supplements on nervous system health.

L-ascorbic acid and immunity

One of the main reasons people take ascorbic acid supplements is to boost their immunity, as ascorbic acid is involved in many parts of the immune system.

First, ascorbic acid supports the production of white blood cells called lymphocytes and phagocytes, which help protect the body against infections. Second, ascorbic acid helps these white blood cells to function more efficiently while protecting them from damage by potentially harmful molecules such as free radicals. Third, ascorbic acid is an essential part of the skin’s defense system. It is actively transported into the skin, where it can act as an antioxidant and strengthen skin barriers.

Studies have also shown that taking ascorbic acid can shorten wound healing time. Moreover, low levels of ascorbic acid have been linked to poor health outcomes. For example, people with pneumonia tend to have lower levels of ascorbic acid, and ascorbic acid supplements have been shown to shorten recovery time.

See also: Important rules for supporting the immunity of the youngest in the fall

L-ascorbic acid and heart disease and cancer

Research suggests that ascorbic acid may help prevent heart disease and cancer.

Antioxidants such as ascorbic acid appear to reduce the oxidative stress associated with these diseases. This can happen when there are too many free radicals in our body. A 2013 review found that ascorbic acid can help prevent stroke. This mostly affected people who had a low vitamin C intake before treatment or who were at high risk of stroke. The review showed this benefit only for ascorbic acid delivered to the body with food, not as a result of taking supplements.

The 2013 review noted that high consumption of ascorbic acid appears to be associated with a lower risk of certain cancers. It has also been noted that intravenous ascorbic acid has been shown to improve outcomes in cancer patients. However, many experimental anti-cancer therapies involve the use of ascorbic acid along with other treatments. This makes it difficult to know how much of an effect ascorbic acid alone has. Some studies have shown that ascorbic acid does not affect cancer risk.

L-ascorbic acid – other studies

While ascorbic acid has many scientifically proven benefits, it also has many unsubstantiated claims supported by weak or no evidence.

Here are some such poorly proven claims about ascorbic acid.

Diabetes

A 2019 study looked at 31 people around the age of 60 to see if taking ascorbic acid supplements had an effect on blood glucose levels after eating. After taking the supplements for 4 months, participants’ glucose levels and blood pressure improved compared to taking a placebo. This suggests that ascorbic acid may one day be a treatment for diabetes.

Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Air pollution is made up of various substances and chemicals that can have a negative impact on human health. Some studies have suggested that the combination of ascorbic acid and vitamin E may have antioxidant effects that may help reduce symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Allergy

During an allergic reaction, the immune system triggers an inflammatory reaction that can lead to symptoms such as swelling and hives. During this process, the body produces ROS (reactive oxygen species), which can lead to oxidative stress.

In a 2018 study, 71 people with skin or respiratory allergies received different doses of intravenous ascorbic acid, and researchers observed an increase in participants’ symptoms. Their article concluded that taking a high dose of ascorbic acid can help reduce allergy symptoms. Researchers also found evidence to suggest that low levels of ascorbic acid was common in people with allergies.

Motion sickness

In a 2014 study, 70 people took 2 grams of ascorbic acid or a placebo and then spent 20 minutes on a life raft in a wave pool. Those who took the supplement had lower levels of seasickness.

See also: Kinetosis, or motion sickness

L-ascorbic acid – drug interactions

If you are taking estrogen or estrogenic contraceptives, ascorbic acid may increase the risk of hormonal side effects. This is because ascorbic acid can slow down the rate at which estrogen leaves the body.

Ascorbic acid may also interact with the antipsychotic drug fluphenazine and reduce blood levels of the drug. This may make the medicine less effective. Ascorbic acid supplements can also reduce the effectiveness of some chemotherapy drugs. It is recommended that you inform your doctor if you are taking or plan to take ascorbic acid with any of these medications.

In addition to this, taking ascorbic acid can increase the absorption of aluminum from aluminum-containing drugs such as phosphate binders. This can be harmful for people with kidney problems. Oral use of ascorbic acid may also reduce the effect of protease inhibitors.

When combined with ascorbic acid, it can reduce the effects of niacin and statins, which may be beneficial for people with high cholesterol. High doses of ascorbic acid can also reduce our response to this anticoagulant (warfarrin).

See also: How to take medications effectively?

L-ascorbic acid – dosage

The optimal dose of ascorbic acid depends on factors such as age and gender, as well as health and stress exposure. For adults, it is assumed that the daily requirement of ascorbic acid is about 1 mg / kg body weight. In the case of children, the doses of ascorbic acid should be higher, i.e. about 2 mg / kg body weight per day. Ascorbic acid is almost completely absorbed when used orally in a dose of up to 200 mg.

Are L-ascorbic acid supplements necessary?

It’s always best to get your nutrients from food, not supplements.

Fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits, are good sources. Foods naturally high in ascorbic acid include:

1. black currant: 181 mg / 100 g
2. fresh thyme: 160 mg / 100 g
3. chili pepper: 144 mg / 100 g
4. parsley: 130 mg / 100 g
5. spinach: 130 mg / 100 g
6. red sweet pepper: 128 mg / 100 g
7. kale: 120 mg / 100 g
8. kiwi: 93 mg/100 g
9. broccoli: 89 mg / 100 g
10. Brussels sprouts: 85 mg / 100 g
11. lemon: 77 mg / 100 g
12. strawberries: 59 mg / 100 g
13. orange: 53 mg / 100 g

If we are not getting enough ascorbic acid from what we eat, a supplement can help us get to the right level.

Also check: Hot chili pepper for sinus problems

L-ascorbic acid – dosage

A healthy adult should consume 45 to 90 mg of vitamin C daily. Although for many years it has been said that this vitamin cannot be overdosed and that excess is removed with urine – this is a false assumption. Both overdosing and deficiency of this substance have health consequences.

If you need an increased dose of vitamin C, try Extra C – vitamin C 950mg Viridian – a preparation available on Medonet Market at a favorable price.

Symptoms of L-ascorbic acid deficiency

The most common effects of an ascorbic acid deficiency in the body include:

1. bleeding and ulceration of the gums
2. tooth loss
3. reduced body resistance – susceptibility to infections,
4. fragility of blood vessels,
5. bursting blood vessels,
6. anemia,
7. swelling and soreness in the joints,
8. slow wound healing,
9. abnormal bone fusion
10. muscle and joint pain,
11. scurvy.

The body’s need for vitamin C increases in the case of very high physical activity, vomiting, intestinal disorders and in people:

1. suffering from hypertension,
2. diabetics,
3. smokers,
4. pregnant women and breastfeeding women,
5. experiencing strong long-term stress.

At Medonet Market you will find vitamin C 500 mg in lozenges – the preparation allows you to provide a daily dose of this substance.

Excess of L-ascorbic acid

Excess vitamin C also has its consequences, most often manifested by:

1. stomach pain,
2. nausea and vomiting
3. diarrhea
4. skin rash
5. high acidification of urine,
6. formation of kidney stones.

When deciding to supplement with vitamin C, follow the recommendations of the manufacturer of the preparation used.