Vitamin C’s Interesting History

Did you know that Vitamin C was first isolated in 1928 by the Hungarian biochemist Albert Szent-Gyorgyi? It has been considered as the king of antioxidants from then on. An interesting fact is that although vitamin C is so essential for our health, we are one of only a few animals that can’t synthesize it. We must obtain it through diet and/or supplementation. One of the earliest known diseases recorded in human history is scurvy. Scurvy results from a prolonged deficiency of vitamin C. The term Ascorbic Acid was then derived form the Latin word “Scorbuticus” from where the word Scurvy originated. It is a disease that causes open sores in the mouth, loosening of teeth, and soft gums. It was eventually noted by sailors on long sea voyages that certain foods (like limes) kept this disease at bay. We are of course well aware today that the preventive foods they consumed were good sources of vitamin C.

What is vitamin C?

Vitamin C, chemically known as ascorbic acid, has the primary function of producing collagen. Collagen is the principle protein in the human body and is needed for bone, connective tissue, tendons, cartilage, and wound repair. Vitamin C is also the most potent antioxidant in the human body, having the ability to protect cells against the destructive effects of free radicals. Free radicals are reactive compounds that damage cells and later on could cause cancer. Vitamin C has the ability to regenerate vitamin E and it prevents vitamins B1, B2, and B5 from oxidation. Vitamin C is water soluble. In simple terms, this vitamin dissolves in water and doesn’t require fat for absorption.

Why is vitamin C important?

Several studies have shown that many individuals, especially those under chronic emotional, psychological and physical stress, have very low levels of vitamin C. Chronic stress can dramatically increase urinary vitamin C excretion. That is why regular consumption or supplementation of Vitamin C is an absolute necessity since we, humans can neither produce nor store any considerable amount of this vitamin.  Here are some of the many researched health benefits of vitamin C:

1. Cancer

Vitamin C helps prevent the formation of certain cancer causing compounds because low blood levels of vitamin C are correlated to a greater risk of having certain forms of cancer.

2. Immune function  

It enhances white blood cell production and possess broad spectrum antiviral activity.

3. Cardiovascular health

Vitamin C raises high density lipoprotein (HDL) which is the good cholesterol and decreases low density lipoprotein (LDL) which is the bad cholesterol. It also helps maintain the elasticity of blood vessels and helps lower high blood pressure

4. Wound healing

It helps speed up the healing of scars, broken bones, burns, etc. due to its function in collagen formation.
Vitamin C is truly a supplement that can provide us tremendous benefits. With so many antioxidants available today, there is still nothing that has been able to dethrone vitamin C’s status as “king of antioxidants.”