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Page 1 of 2 Vitamin C - Going Beyond ScurvyAPPENDIX BThroughout human history, deadly outbreaks of scurvy have often befallen cities emerging from long winters, armies living on limited rations and mariners confined to sea for extended journeys. Scurvy's grisly symptoms and frequent occurrence made the isolation of ascorbic acid, the dietary substance that prevents and cures this terrible disease, one of history's greatest medical discoveries. In 1928, Dr Albert Szent-Gyorgi isolated vitamin C from adrenal tissue, orange and cabbage, and called it hexuronic acid. In one of the most controversial research races of the century, Dr C Glenn King at the University of Pittsburgh simultaneously isolated the compound from lemons, realized his compound was identical to Szent-Gyorgi's, identified it as responsible for preventing and s\curing scurvy in guinea pigs, and labeled it vitamin C. Vitamin C's correct chemical composition, C6H806 was soon discovered and its accepted name became ascorbic acid. Because of the drama of this discovery, research surrounding vitamin C for the first few decades after its discovery understandably focused on its relationship to scurvy. Ascorbic acid facilitates many of the body's metabolic processes as a nutritional cofactor. It can be easily oxidized (losing two hydrogen atoms to become dehydroascorbic acid) and then converted back to its original form. This ability to lose and take on hydrogen gives ascorbic acid an essential role in metabolism, particularly in the formation of the amino acid hydroxyproline, which is used by the body to produce the connective tissue protein, collagen. Collagen is the cement which binds animal tissue together. Without a constant supply of ascorbic acid, joint and connective tissue weaken and the total symptoms of scurvy appear1. Vitamin C, therefore, is necessary for the proper healing of wounds, bruises, fractures and capillary damage, and for the formation of bones, teeth and cartilage. It is also necessary for the production of numerous brain chemicals and the adrenal hormones noradrenaline and hydrocortisone and is an essential part of the metabolism of amino acids, cholesterol and steroid hormones such as oestrogen1. Recent research shows vitamin C is involved in more than the prevention of a deficiency disease. Many researchers now recognize that the absence of scurvy is not equivalent to the presence of optimal Vitamin C nutritional status. Vitamin C is anti-viral and anti-bacterial; it helps maintain a strong immune system, normalizes blood cholesterol, prevents periodontal disease, colds and influenza. Intakes of vitamin C far above those required to prevent scurvy are required for such benefits1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9. Besides helping to maintain good health, vitamin C, in higher than preventative doses, may help cure many chronic diseases. Championed by such eminent researchers as Drs Stone, Klenner, Pauling, Cameron and Levine, the therapeutic potential of vitamin C is controversial and is not universally accepted by the medical community. But the therapeutic potential of vitamin C is one of the most exciting areas of nutrition research today. The Benefits Of AscorbateWhen vitamin C was thought only to prevent scurvy, simple ascorbic acid was the only substance manufactured. With the discovery of benefits to be gained from taking larger doses of ascorbic acid came unpleasant intestinal side effects. Ascorbic acid is, obviously, acidic. When it reaches the alkaline environment of the lower intestinal tract, it can cause inflammation of the intestinal tissue, gas, diarrhea and discomfort. This acid rejection syndrome usually results from very large doses of vitamin C, and it can limit vitamin C's absorption. Buffering vitamin C with a mineral moderates this rejection. Combining calcium, magnesium or sodium with ascorbic acid helps to improve its delivery to the body while providing additional amounts of mineral nutrients. |
