| Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) | |||||
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Ascorbic acid is basically the chemical name for vitamin C. There are other forms of vitamin C, but ascorbic acid is the most common one.
Ascorbic acid is vital for ensuring that bones bones, skin, teeth and gums are in god condition, as it helps to form collagen which keeps these tissues in good health. Collagen is the intercellular (between and around the cells) cement that holds all tissues together. It is part of what gives skins its elasticity and form.
Ascorbic acid is one of the major antioxidant vitamins, which reduces cellular aging due to oxidation and supplies oxygen to the blood and supports and strengthens capillary walls.
- Ascorbic acid is better known as vitamin C
- Abundant in fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits
- Antioxidant properties that fight oxidization of cells and ageing, scavenges free radicals
- Important in forming collagen, the substance that gives many of the body tissues their form, structure and elasticity
- Plays a role in enhancing the absorption of iron from food, especially iron from plant foods (haeme-iron)
- Prevents the disease scurvy
Why ascorbic acid is important
Ascorbic acid is very important for the following reasons:
- strengthens capillary walls - these are the smallest veins in the body which carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs to be oxygenated
- plays an essential role in building collagen, the connective tissue that holds the body together
- essential to a healthy functioning immune system, manufacturing nerve substances and hormones
- scavenges for and removes free radicals (from pollution, general bodily processes, unhealthy foods) which would otherwise age the body and are also implicated in heart disease and cancer
references
- Audera C, Patulny RV, Sander BH, Douglas RM. Mega-dose vitamin C in treatment of the common cold: a randomised controlled trial. MJA 2001; 175: 359-362, accessed 21 August 2007
- Carr AC, Frei B. Toward a new recommended dietary allowance for vitamin C based on antioxidant and health effects in humans. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1999, Vol. 69, No. 6, 1086-1107
- Douglas RM, Chalker EB, Treacy B. Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, 3, 2001
- Osiecki, Henry, The Nutrient Bible 2002, BioConcepts Publishing
- Rolfes SR, Pinna K, Whitney E. Understanding Normal and Clinical Nutrition. 7th Edition, 2005. Brooks Cole Publishing
To learn more, go to the following web sites:
- CSIRO Antioxidant Fact Sheet (Australia)
- Nutrient Reference Values (Australia)
- The Office of Dietary Supplements (USA)
