VITAMIN C: A Potent Antioxidant

VITAMIN C: A Potent Antioxidant

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INTRODUCTION

Vitamin C is an amazing nutrient for the body which is also known as Ascorbic acid and Ascorbate. It is an antioxidant i.e. it can prevent or slow damage to the body cells so restrains the aging process of the body. It also acts as the immunity booster and is responsible for the healing of injuries by producing collagen. Vitamin C is helpful in formation of iron which is an essential component in driving the oxygen into different parts of the body.

Vitamin C, an essential Vitamin

There are two types of vitamins present in nature, one is essential vitamin which body cannot synthesise itself and has to be taken through food or supplements and another is non essential vitamin which body synthesises itself. Vitamin C is an essential vitamin so it has to be taken through external sources only. It is a water soluble vitamin this means that it dissolves in water and is delivered to the body’s tissue but is not well stored. So it becomes compulsory to have vitamin C daily through food or supplements. Its optimum amount is must for the vital functions of body. This required amount sometimes can not be completed by our diet so Vitamin C capsules are used for meeting the needs.

Reference: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_C

DOSING

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The amount taken of Vitamin C should be adequate. Its higher dose may adversely affect the body. The recommended daily dose of Vitamin C for normal healthy adult females is 75 gram and it is 90 gram for males. The amount of Vitamin C required for pregnant females or females under lactation period is more than the above dose. Its requirement is also higher in individuals who smoke.

Reference: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/

Vitamin C Capsules Brands in Market

  • CECON DROPS
  • AQUASOL C
  • TILDOXON
  • AQUASOL CEEZED
  • CELIN CHEWABLE
  • LIMCEE
  • CITRAVITE

and many more.

Reference: https://www.medicineindia.org/brands-for-generic/2267/vitamin-c

Following are some scientific proven benefits of Vitamin C Capsules-

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1. Antioxidant:

Since Vitamin C is an effective physiological antioxidant so its Capsules are used to restrain the ageing process by removing harmful free radicals from the body. These free radicals are responsible for the oxidation of body cells.

2. Immunity Booster:

As Vitamin C capsules have good antioxidant qualities so these can boost the immunity of the body. These enhance the natural defence system of body because Vitamin C is involved in many parts of immune system. For instance, Vitamin C blows up the production of white blood cells. These white blood cells are also called as leukocytes and referred as the soldiers of the body.

3. Helpful in High Blood Pressure

Vitamin C capsules when taken along with the medicines of high Blood  Pressure effectively control lower systolic blood  pressure by small amount. But it does not seem to be effective when taken without medicine to low blood pressure.

4. Boon for Skin

Nowadays Vitamin C capsules are also used for improving the skin quality. It is useful for reducing pigmentation, dark spots, sunburn, wrinkled skin. For curing the above problems Vitamin C capsules are applied directly to the skin or taken in by mouth.

5. Help to check Iron Deficiency

Iron is an essential mineral for the body.Β  It is helpful in making the red blood cells and transporting oxygen throughout the body. Vitamin C capsules help to improve the absorption of iron from the diet. As a result Vitamin C supplements also reduces the risk of anemia.

6. Enhance Memory

Vitamin C capsules are also helpful in brain disease like Dementia. Dementia is a broad term used for poor thinking and memory. So, by regular intake of Vitamin C capsules in adequate amount help to enhance the memory and lower the risk of Dementia.

Ambiguous facts about Vitamin C Capsules

Along with some scientifically proven mileages, there are also some claims for Vitamin C which are with either weak evidences or no evidences. Like Vitamin C is helpful in reducing the effect of common cold, risk of cancer and may treat lead toxicity and some diseases like cataract.

Now-a-days, Vitamin C is also helpful in curing COVID-19. A report of Shanghai Medical Association states that the high dose IV vitamin C may improve lung functioning in COVID- 19 patients. However it is only a convention. There is no such scientific proves that vitamin C supplements can prevent or cure COVID-19.

References: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-c/

Deficiency

Intake of Vitamin C in adequate amount is must for some vital functions. It becomes deficient severe problems arise in body. These are as follows-

  • Scurvy

Scurvy is the Hallmark disease occurs due to the deficiency of Vitamin C. It is characterized by spots on skin and bleeding under the skin. Spongy gums and poor wound healing are also the symptoms of scurvy.

  • Hair loss
  • Fatigue, Malaise
  • Iron Deficiency Anemia, due to less absorption of Iron.

Pregnant and lactating females, smokers are more prone to the deficiency of Vitamin C. So for these groups the intake of Vitamin C capsules as supplement become more meaningful.

Toxicity

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The mega dose of any vitamin may cause serious health problems and this condition is called as vitamin toxicity. Although vitamin C is a phenomenon is nutrient for our body but the excess dose of it might lead to following complications:

  • Insomnia
  • Headache
  • Abdominal Cramps
  • Heartburn
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhoea

References: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1001/vitamin-c-ascorbic-acid

EPILOGUE

Vitamin C is an essential vitamin as well as a potent antioxidant. It can be synthesized by some species but not by humans. Moreover, it is water soluble vitamin that is our body tissue cannot store it for long time. So Vitamin C capsules as supplement is good option to meet the needs of Vitamin C in the body if the needs are not fulfilled through our diet.

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