Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) is a water-soluble vitamin, which is necessary in the body to form collagen in bones, cartilage, muscle, and blood vessels, and aids in the absorption of iron. Dietary sources of Vitamin C include fruits and vegetables, particularly citrus fruits such as oranges. Severe deficiency of Vitamin C causes scurvy. Symptoms of scurvy include muscle weakness, swollen and bleeding gums, loss of teeth, bleeding under the skin, tiredness, and depression. Although rare, scurvy includes potentially severe consequences, and can cause sudden death. Scurvy is treated with Vitamin C, and should be under medical supervision. Vitamin C is a naturally occurring vitamin found in fruits and vegetables such as citrus fruits and green peppers.
Vitamin C is vital to collagen formation, the connective substance in all cells. As an antioxidant, it helps defend cells from the effects of smoke, pollution and other highly reactive substances called free radicals. It helps in healing, in production of red blood cells, preventing hemorrhaging and in fighting bacterial infections. It is believed to be helpful in physical stress. It promotes healthy cell developement, wound healing, and resistance to infections. It serves as an antioxidant and may help protect against certain cancers, cataracts and heart disease. Vitamin C has antioxidant activity. It may also have anti-atherogenic, anticarcinogenic, antihypertensive, antiviral, antihistaminic, immunomodulatory, opthalmoprotective and airway-protective actions. It is arguably the most important water-soluble biological antioxidant. It may also be useful as an immune stimulator and modulator in some circumstances. It is also believed that Vitamin C can significantly reduce the duration and severity of colds in some and reduce incidence in others. There is also preliminary evidence that it can be useful in ameliorating some other respiratory infections. It may help prevent cataracts.
References:
MedlinePlus. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-vitaminc.html
Drug Digest. http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/DVH/Uses/0,3915,47%7CVitamin%2BC,00.html
All Natural. http://www.allnatural.net/herbpages/vitamin-c.shtml
PDR Health. http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/vit_0264.shtml
