Vitamin C, also known as L-ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in some foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement.
Humans, unlike most animals, are unable to synthesis vitamin C endogenously, so it is an essential dietary component
Vitamin C is required for the biosynthesis of collagen, L-carnitine, and certain neurotransmitters; vitamin C is also involved in protein metabolism.
Collagen is an essential component of connective tissue, which plays a vital role in wound healing.
Vitamin C is also an important physiological antioxidant and has been shown to regenerate other antioxidants within the body, including alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) .
Ongoing research is examining whether vitamin C, by limiting the damaging effects of free radicals through its antioxidant activity, might help prevent or delay the development of certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, and other diseases in which oxidative stress plays a causal role.
In addition to its bio synthetic and antioxidant functions, vitamin C plays an important role in immune function and improves the absorption of nonheme iron , the form of iron present in plant-based foods.
Insufficient vitamin C intake causes scurvy, which is characterised by fatigue or lassitude, widespread connective tissue weakness, and capillary fragility
Notes;a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C, characterised by swollen bleeding gums and the opening of previously healed wounds, which particularly affected poorly nourished sailors until the end of the 18th century.
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