What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C is also known as Ascorbic acid which is present as a natural dietary supplement in many foods. Vitamin C, however, is water soluble and cannot be synthesized internally by the body. So, vitamin C supplementing food should be a part of a regular diet. Apart from being a part of the regular diet, vitamin C also helps in the production of collagen, L-carnitine and several other neuro transmitters. And, sometimes, vitamin c plays an important role in protein metabolism.
How does vitamin C work?
Vitamin C is the most tolerated vitamin available, however, higher dosage of ascorbic acid can trigger gastrointestinal trouble, trouble in sleeping etc.In other biochemical reactions and pathways, vitamin C plays a pivotalrole as a cofactor for many such reactions.
Vitamin C’s absorption is regulated by one specific dose dependent active transporter. Most of the vitamin C is accumulate in the cell through a secondary protein transporter.
Advantages of Vitamin C
- Sufficient levels of vitamin c will ensure that the body is saved from a condition called scurvy.
- Vitamin C levels will impact the degree of contracting a cold and cough. Most likely the common cold and flu is kept.
- It helps in regulating various biochemical pathways that are essential to generate energy for the body.
Disadvantages of lower levels of Vitamin C
- The body condition known as scurvy will prevail. The other name of the condition is bleeding gums. While brushing teeth, upon noticing there will be some fight going.
- The body will be susceptible to common cold and cough and will become weak often.
Sources of Vitamin C
Good food doesn’t always mean that it is the perfect diet plan. Many a times, people often forget to add vitamin C as a nutrient. This will indicate that there is a near future problem that might arise. However, below are some ways through which one can include vitamin C into their system.
- Citrus fruits are the major fruits which can restore back the vitamin C requirement in the diet.
- Oranges and lemons of high Vitamin C content.
- Vegetables like cauliflower, tomato & spinach are also rich source of vitamin C.