Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is necessary for the maintaining the supportive tissues of the body including cartilage, bones, teeth and connective tissue. Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin that acts as an enzymatic cofactor in the synthesis of collagen, which holds cells information and helps to fight infections.
Functions of Vitamin C
As has been mentioned already, vitamin is the cofactor of the enzymes required in the synthesis of collagen. Collagen is the fibrous scleroprotein of the connective tissues like, tendons, bones, cartilage, muscles and blood vessels. This vitamin plays a crucial role in wound healing and the production of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine and serotonin. It is required for the formation of carnitine, which in turn is essential for transportation of fats to the mitochondria. It aids the liver to metabolize cholesterol to bile acids and thereby, prevent the formation of gallstones.
Benefits of Vitamin C
Vitamin C is essential for healthy skin, as it aids in the synthesis of collagen. It also facilitates the metabolism of fat by helping to produce carnitine. By preventing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, vitamin C can reduce the risk for atherosclerosis, where the arteries become narrow, due to accumulation of fatty deposits inside the arterial wall. By assisting the liver to metabolize cholesterol, it can help to maintain the healthy blood cholesterol level in the body. Apart from these, vitamin C can prevent the formation of carcinogens like, nitrosamine in foods and in the gastrointestinal tract, which can prove helpful in reducing the risk of several types of cancer.
Due to its antioxidant properties, vitamin C can protect the body from free radicals, and prevent a number of health problems including, heart disease, stroke and heart attack. When the level of free radicals in the body exceed the level of antioxidants, then the condition is termed as oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can in turn, increase the risk for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and high blood pressure.
Deficiency of Vitamin C
Deficiency of vitamin C is known to cause scurvy disease, which is characterized by easy bleeding and bruising, especially of the gums, skin and mucous membrane, loosened teeth, diarrhea, pale skin, sunken eyes, joint pain and swelling, muscle pain and loss of collagen in bones, blood vessels and other connective tissues
Food Sources of Vitamin C
All citrus fruits contain high amounts of vitamin C.
|Foods Rich in Vitamin C|
|Custard apple||Kale Feijoa|
Some More Fruits
- Melon, honeydew
- Opuntia cactus
- Tamarillo, red
- Vitamin A – The Vital Oil Soluble Vitamin… (blissreturned.wordpress.com)
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) :Health Benefits of Pantothenic Acid. Food Sources of Pantothenic Acid (blissreturned.wordpress.com)
- Vitamin K in the Diet – Foods High in Vitamin K (blissreturned.wordpress.com)
- Mangoes : Health Benefits of Eating Mangoes And Drinking It’s Juice (blissreturned.wordpress.com)
- Immune System : Boost Your Immune System With Fruits and Vegetables (blissreturned.wordpress.com)
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) : Health Benefits of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) (blissreturned.wordpress.com)