Human Nutrition 3(3+0)

Lesson 31 : Vitamin C

Introduction

• Vitamin C a water soluble vitamin which is also called as ascorbic acid.
• Most mammals, including humans do not have the ability to make their own vitamin C. Therefore, vitamin C must be provided through diet.
• The body needs vitamin C to keep it in good working condition.
• Vitamin C helps to hold body cells together, aids in wound healing, assists in bone and tooth formation and strengthens the blood vessel walls.
• Vital for the function of the immune system, improves absorption and utilization of iron.
• Helps to prevent nutritional ailments such as scurvy, and so vitamin C is said to have anti scorbutic properties.
• Vitamin C also serves as an antioxidant. It works with vitamin E as a free-radical scavenger and may reduce the risk of certain cancers, heart disease and cataracts.
• Vitamin C participates in many reactions as a reducing agent by donating electrons as hydrogen atoms.