Vitamin C is an indispensable nutrient, as it plays an important role in many vital functions in the body, and in addition to that, it has many health benefits, so this article discusses the most important thing you should know about the benefits of vitamin C.
Vitamin C
The body needs vitamin C to perform a number of its vital functions, and some wrong practices or some health problems may lead to an increase in the body’s need for it.
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, and it acts as a coenzyme in a number of vital processes in the body, such as the biosynthesis of collagen, carnitine and catecholamine metabolism, and the absorption of iron from its food sources.
In addition, the body needs vitamin C to support the formation and maintenance of connective tissues in the body, and it also plays an important role in bone formation, wound healing, and maintaining the integrity of the gums, and it also contributes to the activation of some beneficial compounds for the body, such as a group of B compounds (B) vitamins), and folic acid, and it also participates in the conversion of cholesterol into bile acids, and tryptophan into the neurotransmitter known as serotonin.
Vitamin C is also included in the antioxidants that rid the body of harmful free radicals. Vitamin C also helps in indirectly inhibiting lipid peroxidation, through its ability to generate vitamin E from its oxidized form.
Benefits of vitamin C
It is believed that there are many benefits to vitamin C.
Scurvy: Prevention of scurvy is the main benefit of vitamin C, and consuming 10 mg per day of vitamin C is sufficient to achieve this benefit.
Increased absorption of non-heme iron in the small intestine: Vitamin C reduces the iron obtained from food in the body and facilitates its efficient transport through the epithelial tissue of the intestine. Taking vitamin C whether from its food sources or in the form of tablets may contribute to In increasing hemoglobin production in patients suffering from anemia.
Colds: Some studies indicated that taking vitamin C tablets may reduce the severity and duration of cold symptoms, and constitute a prevention factor against them, but this benefit needs more research and experience regardless of its proof.
Wound healing: It is believed that there is an effective role for vitamin C in healing wounds and burns by stimulating the body to manufacture collagen at the site of the wound or burn.
Improving fertility: Eating vitamin C may help improve the quality of sperm in men, and raise the level of progesterone in women who suffer from impaired fertility due to a defect or deficiency in the luteal phase defect.
Atherosclerosis: Vitamin C contributes to the prevention of atherosclerosis by acting as an antioxidant, as it prevents the oxidation of fats in the body, in addition to its role in strengthening the walls of arteries by participating in the manufacture of collagen and reducing the adhesion of white blood cells to damaged arteries.
Cancer: Although the benefit of taking a high dose of vitamin C is uncertain with regard to reducing the exacerbation of the disease, taking injections of vitamin C contributes to improving the quality of life for cancer patients even in advanced cases, according to studies.
Immunity: Many of the benefits of vitamin C (such as reducing the risk of death from heart disease) are attributed to its role in regulating a number of interactions related to the functioning of the immune system in the body.
Side effects of taking vitamin C tablets
It is allowed to take a dose of (1-200) grams of vitamin C from time to time, and although taking a dose of (5-10) grams of vitamin C orally is considered safe, it may cause osmotic diarrhea temporarily, in addition to bloating and a feeling of pain in the abdomen, it was also noted that taking a daily dose of 6 grams of vitamin C may cause migraines, but taking vitamin C with food reduces these side effects.
Taking large doses of vitamin C may lead to an increased risk of stone formation in the kidneys. Taking vitamin C tablets interferes with some blood disorders, such as thalassemia, hemolytic anemia, and sickle cell anemia, and it is also preferable to avoid taking them immediately before or after the procedure. By catheterization, a diabetic patient must be careful when taking vitamin C tablets because they may raise blood sugar levels.
