Vitamin C displays a variety of properties within the body, but it is probably best known for its immune-boosting and antioxidant roles. Stimulating the immune system and eliminating harmful free radicals are important elements for maintaining health and reducing the risks of cardiovascular diseases. Vitamin C does not have to be taken with any other nutrient to be effective, although adding other vitamins can produce complementary and synergistic effects.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, affects several components of the immune system. It stimulates the production and function of various white blood cells, which comprise the offensive component of immunity. White blood cells attack and kill pathogenic microorganisms, such as foreign bacteria and viruses. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, vitamin C also participates in the synthesis of interferon, a protein that destroys viruses, and glutathione, an antioxidant that enhances immunity. Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant in its own right, and it eliminates free radicals that are linked to blood vessel damage, tissue deterioration and even some types of cancer.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is more important to the defensive component of immunity. Vitamin A helps keep pathogenic microorganisms and harmful debris from penetrating the body by maintaining moist mucus membranes in the oral cavity, lungs, digestive system and eyes, as cited in "Biochemistry of Human Nutrition." Vitamin A also contributes somewhat to the immune system's offensive abilities by synthesizing special enzymes that seek out and kill harmful microorganisms that manage to penetrate the body.
Vitamin B6
The B-vitamins are generally thought of as contributing to cellular metabolism and energy production within the body, but vitamin B6 also contributes significantly to the offensive component of immunity. A 2002 study published in "The Journal of Nutrition" discovered that women who supplemented with 2.1 mg of B6 daily increased their white blood cell count by 35 percent.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D, which is synthesized in the skin in response to sunlight, is also essential for strong immunity. A University of Copenhagen study published in a 2010 edition of "Nature Immunology" discovered that vitamin D is needed to activate killer T-cells of the immune system so that they can detect and eliminate invading pathogenic microorganisms.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E also enhances immune system function by producing interleukin-2, an immune protein that eliminates bacteria, viruses and even cancer cells. A Chinese study published in a 2000 edition of "The Journal of Nutrition" discovered that vitamin E supplementation improved cell-mediated immunity and reduced oxidative stress in Asian men and women.
References
- The Linus Pauling Institute; Vitamin C Information; November 2009
- "Biochemistry of Human Nutrition"; George Gropper; 2000
- "The Journal of Nutrition"; Improved Vitamin B6 Status Is Positively Related to Lymphocyte Proliferation in Young Women Consuming a Controlled Diet; Ho-Kyung Kwak, et al.; November 2002
- "Nature Immunology"; Vitamin D Controls T-Cell Antigen Receptor Signaling and Activation of Human T-Cells; M.R. von Essen, et al.; April 2010
- "The Journal of Nutrition"; Vitamin E Supplementation Improves Cell-Mediated Immunity and Oxidative Stress of Asian Men and Women; F. Wan, et al.; December, 2000
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