Vitamin C Keeps the Body Ticking

What would be your answer if asked what is vitamin C? Chances are, most of us would say it is something that health experts recommend we consume. While there is no denying the truth of such an answer, there is more to vitamin V than meets the eye.

Consider these facts:

- It acts as an antioxidant, which means it helps in reducing damage caused by free radicals in the body.

- It plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy immune system. It helps keep bones, teeth and blood vessels healthy.

- It is important for the formation of collagen, the protein that provides the framework for mechanical support in the body.

However, the importance of vitamin C as a nutrient has been further strengthened by studies that examine the role it plays in the actual functioning of the body.

Central nervous system. This is possibly the most important part of the body. It utilizes chemical messengers called neurotransmitters to facilitate activity. These neurotransmitters act as messengers at the connection points between one nerve cell and the next, ensuring that every command of the brain is carried out in proper sequence. Studies have indicated that vitamin C is essential for the formation of some of these neurotransmitters. It has been noticed that during episodes of depression, the levels of vitamin C in the body reduced.

The eyes. The eye is much like any organ in the body, composed of different structures that finally make up the whole. One these is the eye lens, a transparent disc. In conditions such as cataracts, the transparent disc becomes opaque, affecting the clarity of the object image in the retina. It has been found that vitamin C might helps prevent such damages to the eye lens because of its antioxidants properties. Studies have indicated that a high intake of vitamin C may reduce the risk of cataracts by as much as 50%.

Blood. The many different cells found in the blood perform different functions, ranging from clotting and carrying oxygen to fighting infections. One of the cell groups involved in the fighting infections is the white blood cell. Some act as scavengers, engulfing bacteria and foreign material in the body to neutralize their effects. Others produce antibodies to fights infection. Vitamin C is essential to provide the right chemical links that are protected from damage by vitamin C.

Pancreas. The pancreas is an organ the produces digestive enzymes as well as insulin, which helps in the uptake of glucose from the blood into the tissues of the body. Insulin is a protein that has sensitive chemical link that are protected from damage by vitamin C.

Skeletal system. Vitamin C is important for the proper formation of collagen in the body. Collagen is a fibrous protein that is widely found in many parts of the body, providing a meshwork of support and forming parts of connective tissues such as ligaments and tendons.

The role of vitamin C, as a vital nutrient for survival and prevention of many diseases, places it in the upper pantheons of essential elements in the body.

Sources:

Jane Higdon, Ph.D. "Vitamin C" Micronutrient Information Center

Gary Null, Ph.D."The Antioxidant Vitamin - Vitamin C" Garry Null Your Guide To Natural Living