Vitamin C supplements may not necessarily prevent disease, but low levels of the vitamin have been associated with certain health conditions including high blood pressure, plaque build-up in the arteries, stroke, asthma, gallbladder disease and some cancers, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Vitamin C is an antioxidant the body needs to repair tissues and bones and heal wounds, and foods rich in vitamin C are essential to your overall health.
Antioxidant Nutrient
Because the body cannot make vitamin C on its own, you must get it through your diet. Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble antioxidant nutrient that when consumed in even small quantities can protect the body's cells from free radical damage. Free radicals -- molecules the body produces during metabolism -- damage tissue and contribute to aging. Exposure to environmental pollutants can also cause free radical damage. The Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon state University reports that some studies suggest vitamin C may help restore vitamin E -- another antioxidant vitamin.
Bioflavonoids
Bioflavonoids are plant pigments found in the colored part of fruits and vegetables, particularly in citrus fruits. Also found in apples, cherries, raspberries, red grapes, broccoli, beans and leafy green vegetables, bioflavonoids have anti-inflammatory properties and act together with vitamin C to strengthen the structure of small blood vessels by preventing free radical damage. Inflammation actually depletes vitamin C in the body, causing the body to need additional sources of the nutrient. Like vitamin C, the human body cannot produce bioflavonoids; therefore, you must get them from dietary sources.
White Blood Cells
Vitamin C stimulates the production of white blood cells, particularly lymphocytes, phagocytes and neutrophils -- all part of your immune system defense. Lymphocytes produce antibodies that work along with phagocytes to fight infection. Phagocytes also make and release cytokines such as interferon. Cytokines are small protein molecules produced by cells of the immune system. The immune system activates interferon when a virus attacks. Interferon signals other types of immune cells that kill disease-causing pathogens when they invade the body. Neutrophils attack bacteria and viruses and are the leukocytes most affected by vitamin C. Reports published by Harvard Medical School point out that although certain nutrient deficiencies -- including vitamin C deficiency -- alter immune responses in animals, the effects of vitamin C alone as an immune booster remain unclear. However, vitamin C when working together with other nutrients may provide some healthful benefits.
Wound Healing
Vitamin C also aids in healing wounds and burns. This vitamin plays a vital role in collagen production -- an essential structural component of skin, blood vessels, bones and other types of connective tissue including cartilage, ligaments and tendons. Vitamin C also adds strength to new collagen so that the tissue can stretch without tearing. Blood vessels, the heart and all the other organs in the body need collagen to function.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Vitamin C; June 2009
- Linus Pauling Institute -- Oregon State University; Vitamin C; Jan Higdon; January 2006
- Harvard Health Publications: How to Boost Your Immune System
- Center for Immune Research: What Interferon Is and How It Works
- Dr. Ronald Hoffman; Nutrients That Boost Immunity; Ronald Hoffman
