Vitamin C is essential for life and for maintaining optimal health. Humans do not have the ability to make their own vitamin C. Therefore, we must obtain vitamin C through our diet.
Vitamin C is made up of both L-ascorbic acid (ascorbic acid) and L-dehydroascorbic acid. However, ascorbic acid is the primary dietary form of vitamin C. The chemical name of its principal form is ascorbic acid. Ester C is the fat-soluble form of vitamin C. Some consider Ester-C a superior form. The vitamin in Ester-C is molecularly locked to calcium, so it doesn't cause the acidity problems normally associated with ascorbic acid (the common form of Vitamin C).
Vitamin C is used by the body for many purposes. It is a water-soluble nutrient and vitamin essential for humans, and scurvy is a major condition resulting from a deficiency of it. The symptoms of scurvy include bleeding gums, hermorrhages, impaired ability to heal from wounds, dry eyes and mouth, joint effusions, muscle weakness, myalgia, fatigue, anemia, anorexia, depression, and kidney disorders. Most of the body's systems and organs will be affected by scurvy.
Vitamin C plays an important role in the formation of connective tissues. It is required to synthesize other important connective tissues including bone, elastin, fibronectin, and fibrillin. It also helps to regulate the body's ability to absorb, transport, and store iron. Vitamin C is best known for its antioxidant effects and its purported ability to prevent certain degenerative disorders, including heart disease and cancer.
Elderly men who have a high intake of vitamin C, whether from supplements or from fruits and vegetables, may be at a lower risk of stroke than those who get less.
Vitamin C is found in:
Citrus fruit, currants, strawberries, grapefruit juice, raw guava fruit and kiwi; it is also found in broccoli, red and green peppers, Brussels sprouts, parsley and potatoes.
Vitamin C's antioxidant effects are well established. As an antioxidant, one of vitamin C's most important functions is to protect LDL cholestoral (the good cholestorol) from oxidative damage.
According to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, natural and synthetic vitamin C supplements are absorbed equally.
The RDA for vitamin C is 90mg per day for adult men and 75mg per day for adult women. The upper intake limit for most people is 2,000mg per day. At this higher level, stomach upset and diarrhea can occur.
Due to its water-soluble nature, vitamin C is very safe to take in supplemental form. The amount of vitamin C required to prevent chronic disease appears to be more than that required for prevention of scurvy, and most people can take over 500mg without any problems.