Huntington's disease is an inherited condition that causes progressive degeneration or wasting away of nerve cells in your brain. Huntington's disease occurs when you inherit a copy of a defective gene. The disease leads to movement, cognitive and psychiatric symptoms that limit your functional abilities. Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin needed for the maintenance of a healthy body. Vitamin C deficiency can worsen Huntington's disease symptoms.
Huntington's Disease and Vitamin C
If you have Huntington's disease, vitamin C has antioxidant properties that can protect your brain cells, according to Huntington's Outreach Project for Education at Stanford. Vitamin C prevents oxidation and destruction of healthy brain cells by free radicals. Oxidation causes brain cells to lose their ability to function normally, which can contribute to the progression of Huntington's disease. You can obtain vitamin C from foods or supplements.
Natural Vitamin C Sources
The best sources of vitamin C are raw fruits and vegetables, according to MedlinePlus. Cooking destroys vitamin C content in food. Eat raw fruits such as oranges, cantaloupe, grape fruit, mango, papaya, pineapple, strawberries, kiwi fruit, orange juice, squash, tomatoes, broccoli, green peppers, spinach, kale and other green leafy vegetables. You can also obtain vitamin C from fortified cereals and enriched breads.
Vitamin C Supplements
If you have problems eating vitamin C rich foods, you can consult your doctor about taking vitamin C supplements. Vitamin C supplements are available in extended-release capsules, regular tablets, chewable tablets, lozenges and liquid drops. Swallow regular tablets with a full glass of water. Do not chew or open extended-release capsules and do not take more tablets than prescribed by your doctor.
Symptoms of Huntington's Disease
Most people with Huntington's disease develop symptoms of the disease in their 40's and 50's, according to MayoClinic.com. Patients experience symptoms such as unsteady gait, facial grimaces, wild jerking movements of extremities, tremors,slow uncontrolled movements, speech problems, difficulty swallowing, confusion, memory loss, personality changes, hallucinations, irritability, psychosis and antisocial behaviors, according to MayoClinic.com.
