When you slice an apple, it starts to brown. A once shiny copper penny turns green, and an iron nail left outside becomes rusty. What's the common thread here? They all involve a process known as oxidation. However, when you dip that apple slice in lemon juice, it browns more slowly. This is because the Vitamin C in the lemon juice acts as a protective agent, reducing the rate of oxidative damage.
For the past 80 years, since its discovery, vitamin C has been heralded as a marvel. It not only plays a critical role in collagen production but also bolsters the immune system and acts as a powerful defender against free radicals. This versatile vitamin has proven effective in warding off various illnesses, ranging from common colds to severe diseases like cancer.
Scientifically termed ascorbic acid (which translates to "without scurvy"), vitamin C is a water-soluble nutrient. Intriguingly, humans are among the few species that cannot generate their own vitamin C. Thus, like some other animals such as primates and guinea pigs, we rely on dietary sources to get this vital nutrient.
Vitamin C boosts the body's defences against various diseases, especially infections and some cancers. It fortifies the immune system by enhancing the efficacy of antibodies and certain immune cells like phagocytes and neutrophils.
Serving as an antioxidant, vitamin C diminishes the harmful effects of free radicals. These molecules, despite being natural metabolic by-products, can harm cells, hastening aging, and paving the way for diseases, including cancer. Therefore, it's not shocking that vitamin C has been incorporated into cancer treatments, sometimes even delivered in high doses via IV.
Free radicals are notorious for their destructive potential. They're molecules craving for an electron to stabilize, and in their quest, they can wreak havoc. Despite being linked to various diseases, free radicals are an intrinsic part of our bodily functions.
Vitamin C's antioxidant role is pivotal in neutralizing these free radicals. Being water-soluble, it operates both within and outside our cells to counteract free radical-induced damage. It's a robust electron donor, effectively neutralizing harmful radicals like hydroxyl and superoxide.
Furthermore, vitamin C collaborates with another antioxidant enzyme, glutathione peroxidase, to rejuvenate vitamin E, another antioxidant but fat-soluble. So, apart from directly neutralizing free radicals in fluids, vitamin C also augments antioxidant defenses in fats.
But the balance between free radical production and antioxidant defense is crucial for optimal health. Vitamin C steps in to neutralize these radicals before they inflict significant harm.
Yet, some studies suggest a paradox: vitamin C might sometimes act as a pro-oxidant, doing the opposite of its usual role. This theory has sparked concerns among many who regularly consume vitamin C supplements, but that's a tale for another day.
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