Vitamin C - ascorbyl palmitate - ascorbic acid Products
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2 Vitamin C
The primary function of vitamin C is the manufacture of collagen, the main protein substance in the human body. Since collagen is such an important protein for the structures that hold our body together (connective tissue, cartilage, tendons, etc.), vitamin C is vital for wound repair, healthy gums, and the prevention of easy bruising.In addition to its role in collagen metabolism, vitamin C is also critical to immune function, the manufacture of certain nerve-impulse-transmitting substances and hormones, carnitine synthesis, and the absorption and utilization of other nutritional factors.
Vitamin C Antioxidant effects
Vitamin C is one of the body's most important antioxidants. It works in aqueous (watery) environments in the body, both outside and inside human cells. It is the first line of antioxidant protection in the body. As an antioxidant, vitamin C is showing promise in the prevention of diseases associated with oxidative damage, such as heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, cataracts, and macular degeneration.
Vitamin C Asthma and other allergies
Low vitamin C levels in the diet and the blood are an independent risk factor for asthma. Since 1973 there have been eleven clinical studies of vitamin C supplementation in asthma. Seven of these studies showed significant improvements in respiratory measures and asthma symptoms as a result of supplementing the diet with 1 to 2 g of vitamin C daily. This dosage recommendation appears extremely wise based on the increasing exposure to inhaled oxidants along with the growing appreciation of the antioxidant function of vitamin C in the respiratory system.
High-dose vitamin C therapy may also help asthma and other allergies by lowering histamine levels. Vitamin C prevents the secretion of histamine by white blood cells and increases the breakdown of histamine.
Vitamin C - Cancer prevention
Vitamin C exerts many functions that may offer protection against cancer, including acting as an antioxidant. Vitamin C also helps the body deal with environmental pollution and toxic chemicals, enhances immune function, and inhibits the formation of cancer-causing compounds in the body. The population-based (epidemiological evidence} of a protective effect of vitamin C against cancer is un-deniable. A high dietary intake of vitamin C reduces the risk for virtually all forms of cancer, including cancers of the lung, colon, breast, cervix, esophagus, oral cavity, and pancreas. While most of this evidence is based upon a high vitamin C intake from foods also rich in carotenes and other nutrients protective against cancer, a few of the studies looked at supplementation as well.Individuals with higher dietary intakes of vitamin C have a much lower risk for developing cataracts and macular degeneration. In addition to offering protective effects, several clinical studies have demonstrated that vitamin C supplementation can halt cataract progression and, in some cases, significantly improve vision.
Vitamin C - Common cold
Many claims have been made about the role of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in regard to the prevention and treatment of the common cold. Since 1970, there have been over twenty double-blind studies designed to assess what role vitamin C can play in the common cold. In the majority of the studies vitamin C supplementation produced a decrease in either duration or symptom severity. Analysis of all studies indicates that vitamin C at a dosage of 1-6 g daily decreased the duration of the cold episodes by 0.93 days, or roughly 21 percent.
Vitamin C - Diabetes
Since the transport of vitamin C into cells is facilitated by insulin, most diabetics suffer from a deficiency of intracellular vitamin C. A relative vitamin C deficiency exists in many diabetics despite an adequate dietary intake of the vitamin, as the diabetic simply needs more vitamin C. Failure to correct a chronic, latent intracellular vitamin C deficiency will lead to a number of problems for the diabetic, including increased capillary permeability, poor wound healing, elevation in cholesterol levels, and a depressed immune system.
Vitamin C - Gingivitis and periodontal disease
Vitamin C plays a major role in preventing gingivitis and periodontal disease. Vitamin C helps maintain the integrity and immune function of the gums. Deficiency of vitamin C is associated with in-flamed and bleeding gums.
Vitamin C - Heart disease (atherosclerosis) prevention
A high dietary intake of vitamin C has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of death from heart attacks and strokes. There is some evidence that higher intakes of vitamin C are associated with decreased LDL cholesterol and higher levels of the protective HDL cholesterol. However, results from double-blind studies examining the benefit of high dosage vitamin C supplementation (usually 1,000 mg) on lowering total cholesterol while raising HDL cholesterol levels have been inconsistent. More recent studies have determined that only in subjects with low or marginal vitamin C status does high-dosage supplementation produce an effect.
Vitamin C - High blood pressure
Population studies have shown that the higher the dietary intake of vitamin C, the lower the blood pressure. Several preliminary studies have shown a modest blood-pressure-lowering effect (e.g., a drop of 5 mm Hg systolic and diastolic) of vitamin C supplementation in people with mild elevations of blood pressure.
Vitamin C - Low immunity and immune support
Vitamin C has been shown to enhance many different immune functions, including improving white blood cell function and activity and increasing interferon levels, antibody responses, antibody levels, secretion of thymic hormones, and integrity of collagen structures that serve as barriers to infection. Vitamin C also possesses many biochemical effects very similar to those of interferon, the body's natural antiviral and anticancer compound. During times of infection and stress, vitamin C requirements increase. Double-blind studies have shown vitamin C to improve many aspects of immune function and reduce the duration of infections, particularly in patients in hospitals.
Vitamin C and Low sperm count
Vitamin C appears to play an important role in normal sperm formation. There is much more vitamin C in seminal fluid compared to other body fluids, including the blood. When dietary vitamin C was reduced from 250 mg to 5 mg per day in healthy human subjects, the number of sperm that had damage to their genetic material (DNA) increased by 91 percent. Several double-blind studies have shown that vitamin C supplementation cans increase sperm count. In one study, thirty infertile but otherwise healthy men received either 200 mg or 1,000 mg vitamin C or placebo daily. After one week the 1,000 mg group demonstrated a 140 percent increase in sperm count, the 200 mg group had a 112 percent increase, and the placebo group saw no change.
Vitamin C and Pregnancy
Vitamin C supplementation appears indicated to prevent at least two complications of pregnancy: preeclampsia and premature rupture of the fetal membranes. Preeclampsia is a serious condition of pregnancy associated with elevations in blood pressure, fluid retention, and loss of protein in the urine. Free-radical damage to the lining of blood vessels {vascular endothelium) is known to play a key role in the development of preeclampsia. Antioxidants are critically involved in the protection of the vascular endothelium. Low antioxidant levels, including vitamin C, has been shown to be a predisposing factor in preeclampsia.
Premature rupture of the fetal membranes (PROM) is one of the major contributors of infant morbidity and mortality. The cause of PROM is unclear but may in some cases be due to low levels of vitamin C. In one study, PROM subjects had significantly lower levels of vitamin C in the amniotic fluid.
Vitamin C Wound healing
Vitamin C is critical to proper wound healing and may be helpful in preventing and treating pressure sores (bedsores) in the elderly. Up to 60 percent of all elderly hospital patients suffer from pressure sores. Analysis of vitamin C levels in patients admitted to a hospital for hip fracture indicated that patients who developed bedsores had vitamin C levels that were 50 percent lower than the patients who did not develop bedsores.
Vitamin C Available Forms
Vitamin C is available in a number of different forms crystals, powders, capsules, tablets, timed-release tablets, and others. It is also available combined with other nutrients, such as in the brand name product Solaray. The actual type of vitamin C in these different forms can also vary. Ascorbic acid is the most widely used (and least expensive) form. Buffered vitamin C, such as Ester-C, is sodium ascorbate, magnesium ascorbate, calcium ascorbate, or potassium ascorbate. Buffered vitamin C is popular because the acid content of nonbuffered ascorbic acid may bother some people's stomachs. However, absorption studies have not shown any type of buffered vitamin C to be better absorbed than ascorbic acid. Taking vitamin C with bioflavonoids may offer benefits in absorption, but only if the product contains bioflavonoids in amounts equal to or greater than the amount of vitamin C.
Vitamin C Side Effects
Vitamin C supplementation at daily dosages greater than 500 mg is not advised for people on hemodialysis or those who suffer from recurrent kidney stones, severe kidney disease, or gout, as higher dosages may possibly increase kidney stone formation in these patients.
Vitamin C is extremely safe in most people. Diarrhea and intestinal distension or gas are the most common complaints at higher dosage levels.Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron and copper. It may also interfere with the blood test for vitamin B12. Vitamin C is intricately involved with other nutritional antioxidants, especially vitamin E, selenium, and beta-carotene.
In healthy individuals, a daily dosage of 100 to 500 mg is believed to be sufficient. However, higher dosages may be necessary in certain health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and cataracts, and in infectious conditions including the common cold. In these health conditions the dosage range is typically 500 to 2,000 mg daily. The Tolerable Upper Level Intake (UL) has been set at 2 g daily for men and women over nineteen years of age.
Vitamin C has no acute toxicity. High dosages may produce excessive flatulence and/or diarrhea.
The dosage range during pregnancy and lactation is 100 to 500 mg daily.
Suitable for children at one-half the adult dosage.
Vitamin C - ascorbyl palmitate - ascorbic acid Manufacturers
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