Essay Example on Sources and Role of Vitamin C

Another name for vitamin C is the L-ascorbic acid. This form of acid is nature present in some foods while to others, it comes as an addictive that supplements diets. Human beings cannot synthesize vitamin C and because of this, vitamin C acts as an essential endogenous complement to diets (Hemila, 2007).

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Pertinence of Vitamin C

For the biosynthesis of collagen, certain neurotransmitters as well as L-carnitine in the human body to be realized, vitamin C is made a requirement. Additionally, vitamin C is involved in the metabolism of proteins. The other importance that is associated with vitamin C lies in the regeneration of other antioxidants that are essential in the healing of wounds in the human body. Some of those antioxidants are made up of vitamin E also known by the term alpha-tocopherol (Hemila, 2007).

For wounds to be healed, the collagen that is biosynthesized by vitamin C connects tissues to make possible the respective healing.

Further, vitamin C has been known to play an active role in immune functionality. Because of this, the absorption of nonheme iron is improved in the body. Nonheme iron is mainly found in foods that are plant oriented. The importance associated with vitamin C makes an individual suffer from health conditions such as scurvy in its absence (Chong et al, 2007). Scurvy often results into lassitude or fatigue, tissue weaknesses in large scales and fragile capillaries.

Sources of Vitamin C

Vegetables and fruits are the best sources of vitamin C. Some of the fruits that are known to provide vitamin C comprises of citrus fruits, kiwi fruit, strawberries, tomatoes as well as their juice. Foods that provide proteins includes mainly of broccoli, cabbage, green peas, potatoes, and spinach. From additives, vitamin C can be found from fortified breakfast cereals (Hemila, 2007).

Vitamin C Intake

The mean intake of vitamin C for an adult male is 105.2 mg/day and 83.6 mg/day for every corresponding female (Rautiainen et al, 2010). This figures meets the established RDA for the majority of adults who do not smoke. Adolescents and children aged between 1 and 18 years have a mean intake ranging between 75.6 100 mg/day (Rautiainen et al, 2010). This value also meets the established RDA for this age group.

Relationship between Vitamin C and its Functions

Vitamin C, upon digestion, becomes and antioxidant that is water soluble. In this state, it has the potential of directly affecting the free radicals found in the body. These free radicals, highly reactive, are responsible in the damaging of body tissues and inducing oxidative damage to the inner body. The influence of free radicals in the human body has been associated with advanced aging as well as cancer causality (The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) Research Group, 2013).

Once collagen has been synthesized, the connective tissues in the body are pulled together to make the blood vessels, bones, cartilage, ligaments, teeth and tendons come together to heal wounds. That is why in the absence of collagen, one falls victim to scurvy. The other health conditions that are associated with the absence of collagen in the body are bleeding gums, bruising, hemorrhage, teeth lose and tendency of fractured bones (Chong et al, 2007).

The absence of vitamin C and in turn collagen in the body literary translates to a failed human system.

To the cardiovascular system, the presence of vitamin C results into the absorption of anti-oxidants in the blood stream. With this, the body is made to repress arterial plaque accumulation same time cleansing the arteries (Wintergerst et al, 2006).

When involved with the white and T cells, vitamin C becomes responsible in the monitoring of varied disease conditions. Since vitamin C boosts white blood cell count, high consumption of vitamin C results into minimized possibilities of contracting diseases (Wintergerst et al, 2006).

References

Chong EW, Wong TY, Kreis AJ, Simpson JA, Guymer RH. (2007). Dietary antioxidants and

primary prevention of age related macular degeneration: systematic review and meta

analysis. BMJ; 335:755.

Hemila H. (2007). The role of vitamin C in the treatment of the common cold. Am FamPhysician; 76:1111, 1115.

Rautiainen S, Lindblad BE, Morgenstern R, Wolk A. (2010 ). Vitamin C supplements and the

risk of age-related cataract: a population-based prospective cohort study in women. Am J

Clin Nutr. Feb;91(2):487-93.

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) Research Group. (2013). Lutein/zeaxanthinfor the treatment of age-related cataract: AREDS2 randomized trial report no. 4. JAMA

Ophthalmol.Wintergerst ES, Maggini S, Hornig DH. (2006). Immune-enhancing role of vitamin C and zinc

and effect on clinical conditions. Ann Nutr Metab; 50:85-94.