Vitamin C – importance in the body and the effects of deficiency [EXPLAINED]

Proven content

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is one of the most important organic compounds necessary for the proper development of most living organisms. Vitamin C belongs to the group of saturated polyhydroxy alcohols. In the case of humans and some animals, its supplementation must take the form of providing a vitamin in the diet, where it acts as a natural antioxidant.

Vitamin C – facts and myths

For years after the discovery of vitamin C, its importance to researchers has not been entirely clear. Before the chemical structure and synthesis were discovered in the 30s ascorbic acid in crystalline form, vitamin C found in food products has been called an anti-rot. Rot, or scurvy, was a real scourge among sailors on long voyages when the diet was devoid of vitamin C. Since some products taken on board (especially citrus and sauerkraut) were found empirically to counteract rot and tooth loss, it was believed that the prevention of this disease is the main property of an antioxidant. At the same time, its broad spectrum of activity was underestimated.

The opposite exaggeration began in the second half of the twentieth century, when the prevailing belief in the effective treatment of colds with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) became established. Unfortunately, it is not supported by facts, and the research conducted so far contradicts it. There was no correlation between the intake of vitamin C and a reduction in the risk of colds. However, when it was over, the consumption of ascorbic acid reduced the duration of the disease by up to 8%. in adults and 14 percent. in children.

The only exception were the cases of people practicing very intense physical activity in low temperatures (biathlon runners, marathon runners, soldiers). In these study groups, vitamin C shortened the duration of colds by as much as half.

To replenish your vitamin C levels, use the Vitamin C Multiascorbate 250mg Terranova supplement.

See more: Vitamin C is not a panacea for colds and flu

The role of vitamin C in the body

Although vitamin C is not a reliable remedy against the flu or colds, it is an extremely important ingredient for the body. Vitamin C supplementation it cannot be neglected at any age, because it performs a number of other key functions, incl. such as:

1. regulating the processes of absorption of pathogenic microorganisms by leukocytes;
2. accelerating wound healing, inhibiting bleeding gums;
3. sealing blood vessels;
4. slowing down the aging process of the skin;
5. lowering blood pressure and cholesterol;
6. lowering the risk of certain types of cancer;
7. regulation of collagen production.

You can buy a dietary supplement that helps you get your daily dose of vitamin C on Medonet Market. You can also choose vitamin C 500 mg in the form of lozenges. DO! Vitamin C – support for the immune system is a dose of vitamin C for 2 months of supplementation. It is also worth combining the action of vitamin C with collagen to further enhance its beneficial effects on the skin. If you want to take a dietary supplement with a completely natural composition and in an easily digestible form, try Vitamin C1000 SOLHERBS in capsules or in powder. A very interesting solution is also VIT C 2000 Shot in a liquid in the form of a drinking shot.

In addition, vitamin C is directly involved in the synthesis of adrenal steroids, influences the beneficial level of cell oxygenation and regulates tyrosine metabolism. It is estimated that an adult should consume during the day from 45 to 90 mg of ascorbic acid in the form of a dietary supplement or a vitamin contained in food. While this compound is self-produced in the animal and plant kingdoms, both primates and guinea pigs and some bats need to provide vitamin C externally.

Properties of vitamin C – what else is worth knowing?

Due to its structure and physical and chemical characteristics, vitamin C is of great importance for the body and fulfills many functions. It is known for its antioxidant or antioxidant properties. Vitamin C protects the body in cardiovascular diseases and coronary artery disease. It has also been confirmed that (similarly to vitamin A, E or selenium) it reduces the level of lipid peroxidation markers, i.e. a phenomenon that promotes the development of atherosclerosis.

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals responsible for DNA damage. He owes his own to this antitumor effect – it should be understood that it reduces the risk of developing neoplastic diseases, especially those developing within the stomach or esophagus.

An extremely important function of vitamin C is also participation in the biosynthesis of collagen, i.e. proteins present, among others, in bones, teeth, skin, cartilage, cornea and connective tissue. Thanks to the action of this vitamin, it becomes possible to synthesize collagen from procollagen molecules.

Among other biological functions of vitamin C, it is worth mentioning:

1. influence on immunity (interferon synthesis, NK cell activation);
2. increasing the absorption of calcium and iron;
3. carnitine biosynthesis;
4. auxiliary effect in the control of glycaemia;
5. synthesis of hormones, including norepinephrine;
6. participation in the transformation of fats, steroids and some drugs.

Do you want to strengthen your immunity? Choose a dietary supplement that will provide the right dose of vitamin C. At Medonet Market you can buy, among others:

1. Vitamin C Intenson – support for the immune system,
2. Nº1 Vitamin C – supplement to support immunity,
3. Immunity Superfoods Elixir Intenson – a strengthening elixir,
4. Collagen + vitamin C Intenson – collagen for athletes,
5. Marine collagen with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C Intenson,
6. Extra C – vitamin C 950mg Viridian with the addition of liposomal metabolites.

The effect of vitamin C on the skin

The importance of ascorbic acid for the skin is based on its antioxidant properties. The deterioration of the skin condition is mainly due to the aging processes and the weakening of the processes responsible for maintaining its functioning and proper structure. The aging of the skin is influenced by free radicals that negatively affect the metabolism and damage the protein and lipid structures. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that destroys free radicals and supports the skin’s natural processes.

The Do.Best brand offers the Do! Vitamin C dietary supplement, which helps to provide the body with the right dose of vitamin C and ensure good skin condition. You can buy Do! Vitamin C at an attractive price on medonetmarket.pl.

Moisturizing the skin and limiting its dryness also makes it possible ceramidy, the synthesis of which is stimulated by vitamin C. Its general beneficial effect on the skin includes improving its color and elasticity, lightening discoloration, as well as reducing wrinkles and improving regenerative processes. Vitamin C also has an anti-inflammatory effect, thanks to which it can have a beneficial effect on symptoms associated with inflammatory skin diseases (e.g. psoriasis or eczema).

Order BIO Orientana serum for couperose skin with vitamin C and mulberry to even out skin tone and give it elasticity. In the fight against skin discoloration and fine wrinkles, an effective weapon is also the revitalizing washing gel Vianek for mature and sensitive skin with the addition of vitamin C. Sylveco brightening serum with vitamin C inhibits the production of melanin in the skin tissues, thus contributing to the evenness of its color. Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory and regenerating properties.

Read also: Routine – properties, application, contraindications

What is the need for vitamin C?

Intensive research on this issue is still ongoing. Vitamin C requirements vary in selected countries, with standards ranging from 30 to 100 mg per day. People with an increased need for vitamin C are:

1. smokers (the demand in this group of people is 40 mg higher than in people who do not smoke),
2. elderly people,
3. people with arterial hypertension,
4. alcoholics,
5. diabetes
6. pregnant women,
7. people who live under constant stress,
8. people who do not lead a healthy lifestyle,
9. residents of large cities (due to ubiquitous pollution and toxins),
10. people who take certain groups of drugs, including barbiturates, sulfonamides or aspirin,
11. women using oral hormonal contraception.

Are you considering vitamin C supplementation? Talk to your doctor and ask them to do some basic research. You can take advantage of online advice and you will receive e-Prescription and e-Referral without leaving your home.

Medium requirement (EAR) for vitamin C it differs according to gender and age. For the Polish population, in the case of children between 1 and 3 years of age, it is 30 mg / day, and for children aged 4–12 – 40 mg / day. Between the ages of 13 and 18, the EAR for girls is 55 mg / day and for boys 65 mg / day. The requirement for vitamin C in adult women up to the age of 19 is 60 mg / day, and in adult men 70 mg / day.

1. You can try syrups with vitamin C, which you can buy at Medonet Market at an attractive price. They support the immune system, and additionally reduce the feeling of fatigue and weariness, and have a positive effect on the throat and vocal cords.

In order to supplement the child’s diet with vitamin C, the Kanguwity supplement with vitamin C in lozenges for children was prepared, available to order through Medonet Market.

In pregnant women, the EAR increases by 10 mg / day according to the age group they belong to (<19 or ≥19). For nursing women up to the age of 18, the EAR is 95 mg / day, and for lactating women aged 19 or later - 100 mg / day.

Vitamin C absorption

Vitamin C is involved in many processes in the body and shows high biological activity. In healthy people is absorbed in about 70-80 percent.and the process takes place mainly in the small intestine and duodenum. A variety of factors can reduce absorption, including:

1. providing too high doses of vitamin C (over 1 g / day);
2. smoking;
3. certain medications (e.g. aspirin);
4. vomiting;
5. digestive problems;
6. absorption disorders.

The organism stores supplies of vitamin C only to a small extent, and they are stored, inter alia, in in the liver, adrenal glands, brain or pancreas.

To ensure an adequate level of vitamin C, we encourage you to purchase XeniVIT bio Vitamin C 1000 Xenico. One package of the preparation is sufficient for 3 months of supplementation, and one capsule meets the body’s daily requirement for this vitamin. We also recommend Vitamin C 1000 with Vivoforte bioflavonoids. The preparation combines ingredients whose effectiveness has been scientifically proven.

The effects of vitamin C deficiency

In the case of vitamin C deficiency, in addition to the aforementioned scurvy, which, according to estimates, over a million sailors in the British fleet alone, should also include:

1. poor wound healing, gum bleeding;
2. joint and muscle pain;
3. loss of appetite and general weakness;
4. osteoporosis;
5. weakening of the psychophysical state, depression;
6. hyperthyroidism;
7. infections and mucositis;
8. decreased immunity.

Chronic vitamin C deficiency also promotes the development of neoplastic and atherosclerotic lesions, as well as an increase in blood pressure.

You can supplement vitamin C deficiencies using the Vita C DuoLife dietary supplement, which you can buy today at Medonet Market. We also recommend L-ascorbic acid vitamin C available in the form of a powder.

Too much vitamin C

Ascorbic acid is not considered to be toxic, and the reaction to too high doses is that the body limits its absorption and excretion of excess with the urine. However, this does not mean that vitamin C cannot be overdosed. Excessive consumption of vitamin C. can contribute to nausea, diarrhea or rash. The negative effects of ascorbic acid are also observed when taking very high doses of it – the excretion of oxalates and uric acid increases, which may result in kidney stones.

People suffering from sickle cell anemia should be especially careful of the risk of vitamin C overdose. If it is taken in doses above a few grams, there is a risk of acute sickle cell crisis.

However, if you have too little vitamin C in your body, start supplementation with Aqua Kick Vitamin C – OstroVit vitamin C powder.

Vitamin C and cancer

The question of the influence of vitamin C on the treatment of cancer has aroused numerous discussions and controversies for years. According to research by scientists from the University of Kansas Medical Center (including Jeanne Drisko, Qi Chen), administering vitamin C by injection together with anti-cancer drugs accelerates the killing of cancer cells, but also alleviates the unpleasant symptoms of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Such actions (according to scientists) are possible only if vitamin C is to be administered intravenouslybecause only then does it reach the places that need it most quickly.

Researchers in Kansas studied the effects of ascorbic acid on 27 cancer patients who were given high doses of vitamin C just to see if it would cause side effects. Meanwhile, they tolerated chemotherapy better and complained less of nausea. On the other hand, the researchers looked at the direct effect of vitamin C on cancer cells using the example of mice. Qi Chen, an assistant professor in the department of pharmacology and toxicology at the University of Kansas, says ascorbic acid can damage the DNA of cancer cells, inhibit their growth, and impair metabolism.

1. Order Vitamin C Natural + Health Labs today – vitamin C from natural plant extracts

Another positive aspect of vitamin C. According to researchers, there is a finding that vitamin C slows down the metastasis process. Vitamin C increases the mobility of NK cells and T and B lymphocytes. Cells and lymphocytes not only destroy pathogens, but also affect the process of eliminating cancer cells.

However, it is worth remembering that the question of the influence of ascorbic acid on cancer cells has long aroused much controversy and there is no clear confirmation that vitamin C can actually inhibit cancer growth.

Foods rich in vitamin C.

Vitamin C deficiencies can be supplemented by including selected products, such as blueberries, in the daily diet. When we do not have access to fresh fruit, we can easily replace it with haskap berry jam. In addition, a lot of vitamin C is found in vegetables and fruits, such as:

1. lemon,
2. blackberries,
3. orange,
4. kiwi,
5. pineapple,
6. grapefruit,
7. onion,
8. spinach,
9. cabbage,
10. Brussels sprouts,
11. cauliflower,
12. green peas,
13. strawberries,
14. raspberries,
15. tomatoes,
16. artichokes,
17. potatoes,
18. apples,
19. hungry,
20. Rowanberry (try the EKO Rowan Fruit, which you can buy at Medonet Market).

The greatest amounts of vitamin C can be found in wild rose, acerola, black currant, red pepper, parsley and horseradish. Vegetables and fruit should be stored by freezing, it is the best form of keeping products rich in vitamin C. You can buy juices from these fruits at Medonet Market, eg Acerola juice – natural vitamin C 1000ml is available at a promotional price.

Hibiscus is also rich in vitamin C, which works great as an ingredient in various types of teas that strengthen the body, e.g. Women’s Energy Bio Yogi Tea, which you can buy at Medonet Market at an attractive price.