Vitamin C

All about Vitamin C

Introduction

Vitamin C.It is water soluble vitamin and is easily destroyed by heat,alkali and storage. In the process of cooking at least 70% of the vitamin is lost.The structural formula of ascorbic acids is somewaht similar to be carbohydrates nd it has also a resducing property.

Synthesis: The ascorbic acis is synthesised from the glucose.Most of the planst and animals can synthesise the Vitamin C but few can nt because of the absence of gene that codes for the enzyme required fro the synthesid of the vitamin C.

What does vitamin C do?

Vitmin C is a very esential vitamin and should be included in the diet. Vitamin C has got immense role to play in our body be it biochemical or the therapeutic use. There are lot to mention.

A)Biochemical Functions:

Iron metablism: Ascorbic acid enhances the iron absorption from the intestine. Ascorbic acid reduces ferric iron to ferrous iron.

Hemoglobin metabolism: Vitamin C is useful for conversion of methemoglobin to the Hemoglobin.

Steroid Synthesi: large quantities of vitamin C is present in the adreanl cortex.The vitamin is depleted by the ACTH(Adrenocorticotropic hormone). Vitamin C helps in the synthesis of bile acids ffrom the cholesterol.

Phagcytosis: Ascorbic acid stimulates phagocytic action of leukocytes and helps in the formation of antibodies.

Cataract: Vitamin c is concentrated in the lens of the eye. Regular iintake of ascorbic acid reduces the risk of cataract formation.

Tyrosine metabolism: Tyrosine is non-esssential aromatic amino acid which helps in the formation of melanin epinephrinenor-epinephrinedopamine

The Vitamin C helps in the metabolism of the tyrosine.

B)Therapeutic Functions:

Vitamin C is used as an adjuvant in infections.

Beneficial effect of ascorbc acid is reported in the treatment of tuberculosis,when plasma level is kept near to saturation point. Clinical dose is 500mg/day.

Wound healings: Vitamin C has been recommended for tratment of ulcer,trauma, and burns. Except inscurvy and sub-scorbutic conditions the therapeutic use of the vitamin is not specified.

Vitamin C deficiency

Scurvy:Gross deficiency of viatmin C causes scurvy.In infants between 6 to 12 months of age the diet should have the vitamin C else in infants deficiency of vitamin C in infants causes Barlow's Disease.

Oral Cavity problems: In severe cases of scurvy the gums become painful, swollen and spongy.Pulp is separated from the dentine and wound healing may be delayed.

On Bones: In the bons the deficiency results in the failure of the osteoblasts to form the interecellular substance, osteoid.The bone is weak and fractures easily.There may be hamorrhage in the joint cavities. Painful swellings of joints may prevent locomotion of the patient.

Anemia: Vitamin C deficiency causes microcytic,hypochromic anemia. Pikiolocytosis and anisocytosis are common in anemia due to vutamin C deficiency. The reasons being:

loss of blood by hemaorrhage.
accumulation of methemoglbin.
decreased tetrahydrofolic acid.
decreased iron absorption.

Hemaorrhage: In several cases, hemaorrhage may occur and in the conjunctive and retina. Internal bleeding may be seen as epistaxis,hematuria or melena

Vitamin C sources

Amla(indian Gooseberry)

Lemon and green feafy vegetables.

Acerola Cherries

Guavas

Sweet yellow peppers

Brocolli

Required level of vitamin C

The daily requirement of vitamin C is 75mg/day.During pregnancy,lactation and in aged individuals the required level may be 100mg/day.

Vitamin C toxicity

Vitamin C is water soluble, excess vitamin c is excreted and not accumulated in the More than 2000mg/day daily consumption of vitamin C for a long time can cause iron overload because vitamin C helps in absorption of iron.

Vitamin A

Vitamin D

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