Many of the functions of Vitamin C are well-known. It is a key component of collagen, the protein that froms the basic building block of the body needed for connective tissues such as cartilage, ligament, tendon, skin and bone. Collagen is also one of the major components of our blood vessels, which we will return to later, in the discussion of heart disease.
Vitamin C also plays a vital role in the immune system, strengthening our ability to fight of infections. It helps in the absorption of Iron, is a powerful antioxidant and is involved in countless enzyme pathways. In addition, Vitamin C has powerful effects on the production of important chemicals for the control of hormones and brain function.
| Functions of Vitamin C |
| Vital component of all body cells |
| Essential for manufacture of collagen, needed for healthy connective tissue, skin, bones and vascular system |
| Powerful Antioxidant |
| Stimulates white blood cells and antibody production |
| Required for proper wound healing and tissue regeneration |
| Formation of stress hormones |
| Assists iron absorption |
| Natural antihistamine |
Vitamin C deficiency
Because it is needed by every cell in the body, deficiency of Vitamin C has widespread consequences. In the short term, acute Vitamin C deficiency leads to scurvy, which can prove rapidly fatal if adequate Vitamin C is not added to the diet quickly.
Vitamin C deficiency at a lower level leads to irritability, weakness, poor immune system function, joint pain, bruising, skin problems, fatigue, poor healing of wounds and slower recovery from infective diseases.
Over the long term, the inablity to repair blood vessels properly leads to the use of cholesterol as the "band-aid" of the vascular system and eventually to heart disease (see our article,Cholesterol, Vitamin C and Heart Disease). Similarly, chronic immune system dysfunction leaves the body open to cancers, and Vitamin C deficiency is particularly associated with cervical cancer.
| Symptoms of Vitamin C deficiency |
| Bruising easily |
| Fatigue / exhaustion |
| Heart disease |
| Skin problems |
| Irritability |
| Poor wound healing and tissue regeneration |
| Bleeding and sore gums, loose teeth |
| High cholesterol levels (a sign of Vitamin C deficiency) |
The list of conditions that can be improved by Vitamin C shows how important this vitamin is:
| Conditions that can be improved by Vitamin C use | ||
| Asthma | Fatigue | Menopausal symptoms |
| Anemia | Fractures | Mitral valve disease |
| Angina | Gall-bladder problems | Multiple sclerosis |
| Atherosclerosis | Gingivitis | Osteoarthritis |
| Auto-immune problems | Glaucoma | Parkinsons disease |
| Candidiasis | Hemorrhagic problems | Periodontal problems |
| Cataracts | Hepatitis | Peptic ulcer |
| Chemotherapy side-effects | Herpes | Pre-eclampsia |
| Cervical dysplasia | High Blood Pressure | Rheumatoid arthritis |
| Crohn's disease | High cholesterol | Skin problems |
| Coronary Artery Disease | Infertility | Sports injuries |
| Diabetes | Low sperm count | Stress-related problems |
| Duodenal Ulcer | Manic depression | Surgical trauma |
| Eczema | Macular degeneration | Wound healing problems |
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