- January 22, 2025
Ascorbic acid, i.e. vitamin C, is essential for everyday functioning of the body. Most mammals produce this compound in their bodies, but humans and other primates are deprived of this possibility. This is due to the fact that the diet of our common ancestors was dominated by fruits containing vitamin, so it was unprofitable for organisms to produce it on their own. Unfortunately, the diet of modern man, based on highly processed products, is poor in this vitamin.
Vitamin C is characterized by a number of properties, thanks to which it takes part in many processes in the body, both at the cellular and tissue level. It assimilates well - from a physiological dose not exceeding 200 mg it is absorbed in almost 100%. Applied in excess it is highly diuretic, and with its high doses, amounting to over 500-1000 mg a day, people with tendencies to form kidney stones should be careful.
Vitamin C is a very strong antioxidant, which reduces tissue damage caused by free radicals, reduces the risk of appearance and prevents the development of cancer. Regular consumption of foods rich in vitamin C reduces the risk of gastrointestinal cancers, especially gastric and esophageal cancers. Vitamin C protects against colorectal cancer as it prevents the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines.
Vitamin C plays an important role in the metabolism of lipids, steroid compounds and some amino acids. It is essential for effective absorption of iron and calcium in the gastrointestinal tract. It is a coenzyme of enzymes responsible for collagen synthesis from its precursors. Ascorbic acid is an essential element in the process of formation of connective tissue, bonding other tissues of the body and improving the transport of ingredients between them. Thanks to collagen, produced, among other things, under the influence of vitamins, various fractures, wounds and bruises heal faster. Collagen-strengthened blood vessels are less prone to spontaneous bleeding. In addition, ascorbic acid supports the immune system, thanks to which disease states have a milder course, and its symptoms are not so troublesome. It also has a beneficial effect on the heart and is used in the prevention of ischemic heart disease. Vitamin C also affects the nervous system, in which it takes part in the synthesis of some neurotransmitters and their precursors, e.g. tyrosine. It plays an important role in the prevention of brain damage by free radicals, thus helping to treat or reduce the symptoms of neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia or multiple sclerosis. By influencing the production of neurotransmitters, it can reduce the appearance of depressive states.
