Some Important Facts About Vitamin C
Some Important Facts About Vitamin C
If you could take only a single vitamin, it must be Vitamin C or ascorbic acid. The function of vitamin C in the body is not completely understood. Chemically it functions as a reducing agent. Vitamin C concentrates in the organs and tissues of high metabolic activity such as the adrenal and pituitary glands, the brain, eyes, ovaries and other vital tissues.
Functions of Vitamin C
One of the most important functions of Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is in the synthesis and maintenance of collagen.. Collagen is the protein-like cement that supports and holds the body’s tissues and organs together. Collagen cannot be formed without ascorbic acid and in the absence of collagen, our body’s most extensive tissue system, we would disintegrate and dissolve away..When there is deficiency in Vitamin C , it results to disturbance in collagen production causing occurrence of fearful aspects of scurvy, the brittle bones that fracture at the slightest impact since collagen provides bones with their elasticity and toughness, the weakened arteries that rupture the bleed,etc. The gradual deterioration of collagen formation is associated with the entire aging process.
Vitamin also functions as a powerful detoxifier in the body. It negates the effects of heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and arsenic, the carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide of air pollution and many other carcinogens which if not detoxified can cause cancer.
Vitamin C also increases the therapeutic of various drugs and medicines such as aspirin and insulin, while at the same time reducing their toxic side effects. In large doses , Vitamin C has antiseptic and bacteriocidal qualities. In very large doses about 10 grams to 1000 grams, it helps kill viruses.
Vitamin C Deficiency
Severe deficiency of Vitamin C leads to the sickness known as scurvy. The symptoms include hemorrhage into the muscles and skin, tenderness and aching of joints, a general weakening of connective tissues, lethargy, loss of appetite and anemia.
The following are symptoms of scurvy :
- failure of strength
- skin becomes sallow and dusky
- the gums swell and ulcerate
- teeth drop out
- breath becomes foul
- blood penetrates the muscles and other tissues causing a severe bruising
- in final stage deep exhaustion and diarrhea
- as well as pulmonary and kidney trouble leading to death.
Vitamin C and the Mind
Mental symptoms of Vitamin C deficiency are fatigue, listlessness, lassitude, confusion and depression. The face wears a haggard frowning, “pained” expression with a careworn knitted brow.
Confusional states in the elderly often mistakenly considered as senility may be due to Vitamin C deficiency and will clear with intake of 1000milligrams of Vitamin C daily for three weeks.
Vitamin C in doses of one to two grams at a time works as a tranquilizer for the anxious. Due to the vitamin’s sedative effects , similar doses help the insomniac fall asleep.
A dosage of 3 to 30 grams of Vitamin C daily are helpful in severe mental illness, where the sufferers is stressed by extreme anxiety. Possibly also Vitamin C acts to detoxify a brain poison, as Vitamin C helps convert a body chemical , adrenochrome to leucoadrenochrome, a non-toxic substance. One theory of schizophrenia is that the substance adrenochrome is converted instead to adrenolutin, a toxin which causes hallucination and bizarre sensory dys-perception.
Sources of Vitamin C
Citrus fruits
Leafy green vegetables
Tomatoes
Berries
Peppers
Guava
Raw cow’s milk
SOURCE :
VITAMIN SECRETS BY ROGEN INTERNATIONAL
