VITAMIN C
Vitamin supplements
Supplements of Vitamin C
Vitamin C, also known as L-ascorbic acid is an important vitamin that performs many functions in the body.
ABSORPTION OF VITAMIN C
Vitamin C is not synthesized by the body, must then be introduced through the diet and / or integration. It is a substance that is absorbed by the human body, it is therefore necessary to take it with constancy. Is stored in the liver and adrenal glands, and its absorption is reduced in old age, or with the use of medicines: oral contraceptives, the salicylates, sulfonamides, tetracycline, aspirin. Ability of the organism to absorb vitamin C is also reduced by smoking, stress, high fever or inhalation of gases derived from the combustion of oil.
The level of ascorbic acid in the blood reaches a peak two or three hours after ingestion of a moderate amount, and then decreased when starting the excretion via urine and perspiration. Vitamin C is absorbed in the small intestine by a process of saturable active transport: means that the percentage of absorption decreases with increasing dose. Up to 30 mg is 100%, from 30 to 180 mg drops to 70%. Approximately 50% of a single dose comprised between 1 and 1.5 g is absorbed in the intestine. Up to 500 mg absorption occurs for active transport, then come into play diffusion mechanisms.
Then (approximately):
Intake Quantity absorbed
100 mg 80 mg
200 mg 150 mg
500 mg 300 mg
1,000 mg 550 mg
E 'contained in fruits and vegetables, organ meats (liver and kidney).
FUNCTIONS OF VITAMIN C
Its beneficial properties were known in 1500, when in order to prevent or cure scurvy, one of the oldest diseases, due to their lack of this vitamin were given extracts of lemon, vegetables or pine needles. The first discoveries about the healing capacity of ascorbic acid occurred in 1912 thanks to the research of biochemist Casimir Funk, these in fact identified its presence in green plants, a few years later, in 1921, this substance was identified and then referred to as "vitamin C" .
This vitamin plays an important role in the welfare of the organism, is in fact essential to maintain high and active immune system, as well as allows a proper synthesis of collagen, which has the task of reinforcing the skin, bones, blood vessels and bones.
Increases the resistance of the body, strengthens the function of phagocytes, increases the production of antibodies, stimulates the synthesis of interferon, the biosynthesis of carnitine, anti-cholesterol, anti-stress, destroys oxygen free radicals, the hydroxyl radical, the superoxide radical, the radical oxygen, participates in the processes of cellular respiration, intervenes in the development of fibroblasts, the synthesis of collagen, in the formation of adrenal hormones, promotes the absorption of iron (in doses of 200-500 mg) increasing the rate of hemoglobin, zinc, calcium, magnesium, etc., counteracts the toxic effects of nicotine, the benzoate, nitrogenous compounds, the cytotoxic, of ionizing radiation, inactivates the bacterial toxins, involved in the transport of oxygen and electrons, which is essential for vital activities of all cells, which is essential for the production of energy especially muscle, prevents the accumulation of histamine (responsible for allergies), modulates the prostaglandins (mediators of the inflammatory processes), prevents cell degeneration (including the aging process), prevents damage caused by formaldehyde, protects eye and lung, converts cystine (from food-borne) in cysteine, etc.. etc.. Vitamin C has an important role in the healing of wounds and burns because it facilitates the formation of connective tissue scar. Counteracts the toxic effects of tobacco smoke, exhaust gas of motor vehicles, etc.
VULNERABILITY 'OF VITAMIN C
Vitamin C is quickly destroyed by light, exposure to air and heat.
E 'in fact a vitamin extremely labile: as fresh and less cooked foods are, the greater is the amount of vitamin contained.
Among the methods of cooking to be preferred: the microwave oven, the steam and the rapid frying.
The conservation greatly reduces the content of vitamin C.
LACK OF VITAMIN C
Lack of vitamin C causes scurvy, if the power is particularly low in vitamin C (or if there are other conditions), after a latency period, which in adults can range from three to twelve months, the symptoms of the disease appear (minor bleeding, irritability, apathy, weight loss, muscle and joint pain, difficulty in wound healing). Obviously, the treatment is based on the administration of vitamin C.
REQUIREMENT OF VITAMIN C
The dose of vitamin C recommended daily allowance (RDA) is 60 mg.
The RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowances) are the recommended daily amounts of nutrients for the majority of the population. The values in the table are based on the RDA (recommended daily intakes of energy and nutrients for the Italian population) published by SINU (Italian Society of Human Nutrition) in 1996.
Such doses may be obtained with the foods or supplements with high quality
Read the Special Vitamins
Vitamin supplements
Supplements of Vitamin C