Ascorbic Acid
Ascorbic acid, Mol Wt. 176, related
chemically to sugars, is a well-known vitamin that is thought
to be essential for the maintenance of connective tissues. Without
ascorbic acid, the structure of the connective tissue becomes
weakened, the linings of blood vessels, as well as the sheath
of connective tissue about them, become weakened so that bleeding
occurs.
Ascorbic acid is involved in the hydroxylation of proline to
hydroxyproline, an important step in the synthesis of collagen,
healthy bones and cartilage. Thus, it is integral to the promotion
of healthy eyes, gums and teeth, critically essential in the
healing and repair of wounds and damaged cells. It is also involved
in the hydroxylation of tryptophan to 5-HTP, the immediate precursor
to serotonin, and the conversion of 3,4-dihdrooxyphenylethylamine
to norepinephrine, and the hydroxylation of p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate
to homogentisic acid in the catabolic pathway of tyrosine.
Vitamin C and its esters have been shown to lower cholesterol
levels in atherosclerotic patients, and is involved in the formation
of hemoglobin, the absorption of iron from the body. Tissues
which have the highest rate of metabolic activity also have
the highest amounts of vitamin C. Useful in complementing the
body's immune system in times of stress and illness as well
as necessary in maintaining optimum health.Vitamin C, when used
in conjunction with b ioflavonoids, is thought to help in the
reduction of the formation of "age-spots." Vitamin C may aid
the body in stopping the skin's pigment from prematurely clumping
and being acted upon by the sun's ultraviolet rays, circumventing
the possibility of the clumps from being turned into age-spots.
Vitamin C is thought to aid the body, strengthen capillaries
and avoid easy bruising, and the formation of those tiny hemorrhages
of capillaries that become spider veins.
As a cofactor, Vitamin C also helps the oil-secreting glands
function properly, keeping the skin from drying out. Further,
this vitamin may also be helpful in keeping hair from getting
tangled, matted, snarled and broken. There are 6 stable esters
of vitamin C, all of which prove useful in the body. These include:
Vitamin C1-Ascorbic Acid, VItamin C2-Dehyroascorbic Acid, Vitamin
C3-Ascorbyl Palmitate, VItamin C4-Calcium Ascorbate, Vitamin
C5-Isoascorbic Acid, Vitamin C6-Calcium Isoascorbate, and lastly,
Ascorbign, or provitamin C (the direct precursor of ascorbic
acid) is also useful and appears to potentiate, if not accelerate,
vitamin C activity.
Ascorbic Acid is an ingredient in the following product(s):
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