Ascorbic Acid For Inflammation

Ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C, is a water soluble vitamin that has antioxidant properties. It helps reduce free radical production that is associated with disease and illness. In addition, research indicates that vitamin C might have anti-inflammatory effects. Consult your health care provider before taking any vitamin C supplements.

C-reactive Protein

Researchers from the University of California Berkeley investigated the effects of vitamin C on C-reactive protein, an inflammatory marker associated with heart disease. Healthy subjects consumed 1,000 mg of vitamin C or a placebo for two months. C-reactive protein was measured before and after the experiment. They reported in the September 2008 issue of the journal "Free Radical Biology & Medicine" that vitamin C lowered C-reactive protein levels in patients with elevated C-reactive protein levels, but not in patients with normal C-reactive protein levels.

Interleukin-6 and Exercise

Scientists from the Copenhagen Muscle Research Centre in Denmark studied the impact of vitamins C and E on interleukin-6, a protein that increases inflammation when muscles contract. Participants were assigned 500 mg of vitamin C and 400 international units of vitamin E or a placebo for 28 days. Afterward, subjects underwent resistance training. Interleukin-6 was measured before and after supplementation. Researchers found that vitamin C and E supplementation blunted the normal increases in interleukin-6 associated with weight training compared to the placebo. Their findings were published in the July 2004 issue of the "Journal of Physiology."

Vitamin C Intake

In research published in the March 2006 issue of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," researchers from Royal Free and University College Medical School explored the relationship between vitamin C status and inflammation. They discovered that people with the highest intakes of vitamin C had lower levels of C-reactive protein compared to those with the lowest intakes.

Interactions

Vitamin C may interact with several medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin, acetaminophen and antacids, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Therefore, consult your health care provider before taking any vitamin C supplements, especially if you are on medication.