Ascorbic Acid

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C and L-ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin. Its sodium, potassium, calcium salts are commonly used as antioxidant food additives: E 300 ascorbic acid, E 301 sodium ascorbate, E 302 calcium ascorbate, E 303 potassium ascorbate.

Sources of ascorbic acid

In its natural form, ascorbic acid is found in many products such as citrus fruits, potatoes, cabbage, rose hips, peppers, blackcurrants, onions and leafy vegetables. Rich sources of this vitamin are strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, tomatoes, pumpkin, broccoli and melons.

Preparations with ascorbic acid

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After the operation should be take ascorbic acid, and also after injuries or in periods of increased physical or mental strain. It is also quite useful in open and proven iron deficiency anemia. There are several forms of vitamin C on the market today:

1. In the form of a powder that can be taken by both adults and children. Extremely economical dosage form and the daily norm is determined by a medical person. The norm for an adult and a child are different.

2. Dragees and usually the daily norm is 1-2 pieces per day.

3. In the form of ampoules, which are prescribed only by a medical person and are made both intramuscularly and intravenously. In this case, its rate of absorption by the body is significantly faster than the other two.

The daily norm is equal to:

1. Prevention of hypovitaminosis of vitamin C (deficiency of ascorbic acid in the body) - up to 100 mg;

2. In the planning period and during the first weeks of pregnancy - 300 mg for 10-14 days;

3. Pregnancy from 5 weeks - 100 mg;

4. In infectious and other diseases - 500-1000 mg;

5. At strong mental and physical loadings - 400-1000 mg;

6. Children under 12 years - up to 100 mg.

History of ascorbic acid

In 1970, Nobel laureate Linus Pauling proved that ascorbic acid could protect against many diseases, including cancer.

The vitamin was first extracted by Hungarian scientist Albert St. George, who discovered it in red peppers and received the Nobel Prize for his discovery.

Benefits of ascorbic acid

Ascorbic acid is an antioxidantwhich can activate other antioxidants, having a positive effect on the production of enzymes and certain hormones in the body. The acid binds to free radicals, stopping their destructive function.

The vitamin can counteract nicotine, car gas and heavy metals that attack our body on a daily basis.

Ascorbic acid helps to increase the resistance of a living organism against various viruses and infections, also improves performance and strengthens the immune system.

The acid has the ability to stabilize blood clotting, regulate the amount of lipids, participates in the formation of connective and bone tissue.

Vitamin C improves the overall tone and is highly recommended for growth, with an increased risk of viral and bacterial infections, decreased immunity, bleeding, physical and mental stress, malnutrition.

The body needs it to synthesize carnitine, which is vital for the transport of energy to the mitochondria and for the production of dopamine in the nervous system and adrenal glands.

Ascorbic acid is needed for collagen synthesis and plays a structural role in bones, cartilage and teeth. It is also vital for the oxidation of phenylalanine and tyrosine and for the conversion of folacin to tetrahydrofolic acid.

This is the only acid that enhances the action of vitamins A and E.

In addition, vitamin C improves the activity of white blood cells, which have the function of detecting and destroying viruses, bacteria and cancer cells.

Vitamin C is the key to healthy and strong teeth. Normalization of ascorbic acid in the body immediately leads to cessation of bleeding gums, if any. The reason for this is that it strengthens the small vessels in the gum tissue. Some American biochemists even brush their teeth twice a day by simply eating half a lemon, which is very rich in this acid. They have perfectly clean teeth and fresh breath, thanks to the self-cleaning substances of the mouth, which include even saliva. However, it is important to always complain well afterwards.

Vitamin C kills bacteriathat are capable of causing tooth decay. They believe that this way of maintaining oral hygiene is far more gentle than brushing your teeth with a toothbrush. One of the proofs they use is the fact that the jaws of people who lived more than 5,000 years ago were found, whose teeth were perfectly healthy, and yet at that time there were no dentists or toothpastes. Our ancestors used only folk methods to maintain their oral hygiene.

Ascorbic acid also helps to stabilize body weight. This is due to the fact that it synthesizes such an important carnitine from the amino acid lysine. This is especially important for people who are prone to obesity, as it helps reduce excess weight. Vitamin B11 is a kind of charge that catches its customers, namely fat molecules and delivers them to the cells, where they are used as an energy resource.

Vitamin C also affects the general state of mind. With the help of ascorbic acid we stimulate the production of certain hormones, neuropeptides and above all neurotransmitters (excitatory nerve substances), with the help of which all our sensations are transmitted. This can be compared to the fact that just as healthy cells are always young, the feelings of healthy hormonal structures are always positive.

It is important to understand that it is the norm to wake up with a sense of joy and welcoming the day with a smile. In this case, all hormones and neurotransmitters are thought to function properly. Of course, we can feel sadness or anger, but not for most of the day, when it is no longer a health condition and can not be explained by purely physiological reasons or a banal event during the day. This is a signal that something is wrong in our biochemical laboratory of the body's nervous system and it is appropriate to consult a medical professional.

A significant part and even perhaps the most important role in our elevated mood is due to vitamin C. That is why it is important to get it with food or, if necessary - with medication.

Restores the exocrine function of the pancreas and thyroid gland.

Reduces the need for vitamins B1, B2, B9, A, E and pantothenic acid. At the same time, it improves the absorption of iron from the body with the food we eat. This improves hematopoiesis, which is not a minor plus of vitamin C.

Ascorbic acid and its sodium (sodium ascorbate), calcium and potassium salts are used in the food industry as antioxidants E300-E305, preventing oxidation of products.

Vitamin C is also an adaptogen, which means that it helps to minimize the risk of maladaptive neurosis due to a number of factors and of different etiology. As an adaptogen, it successfully influences the acceleration of acclimatization when traveling long distances.

When to increase the daily intake of vitamin C

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- in some diseases, as a result of stressful situations and in toxic effects, such as tobacco smoke;

- in people living in hot climates or the far north. In this case, the daily requirement of vitamin C per day increases by as much as 30 to 50%;

- Adults absorb ascorbic acid less than young people. This means that this group of people has an increased need for vitamin C;

- taking contraceptive water lowering the amount of ascorbic acid in the bloodstream;

- in renal failure;

- smokers and people who frequently drink and abuse alcohol.

It is good to divide the daily norm of vitamin C into several doses, ie not to take them at once. Otherwise, it will not be absorbed very well and will be spent quite quickly by the body. It is much better to maintain balance by regularly taking products that are rich in this vitamin. That is why it is best to divide the daily norm into several doses at relatively equal intervals.

Harms from ascorbic acid

Ascorbic acid is non-toxic, but too large doses can cause a burning sensation when urinating and the appearance of kidney stones.

A side effect of vitamin overdose can be the appearance of temporary osmotic diarrhea - the result of damage to the lining of the small intestine.

The vitamin should not be taken by cancer patients undergoing radiation and chemotherapy.

Symptoms of ascorbic acid deficiency

Mandatory and necessary daily dose for each person is between 60 and 100 milligrams, and the lack of antioxidants in the body can cause diseases such as scurvy, in which the gums swell and weaken, and teeth - fall out.

Lack of acid can also lead to bleeding due to the deterioration of blood vessels, which develops heart failure, chronic fatigue and shortness of breath.

One of the earliest symptoms of vitamin C deficiency are punctate hemorrhages of the skin (petechiae). Later, vitamin deficiency causes leg pain, spotting, and bleeding.

Many factors and habits increase the need for intake of ascorbic acid - smoking, taking contraceptives or heavy physical activity at work and in sports.

Ascorbic acid intake

If we consume ascorbic acid in its natural form - through fruits and vegetables, it must be fresh or very careful with their preparation, as improper heat treatment can destroy its useful effect.

Ascorbic acid decomposes at temperatures above 190 degrees. When stored in the refrigerator, fruits and vegetables that contain it also decompose.

Many animals produce their own acid by synthesizing glucose from plants, but humans do not have enough enzymes for this process. Therefore, it is necessary to get the vitamin through the consumption of fruits and vegetables.

The vitamin does not accumulate in the body, which is why we need to get the necessary amounts of it by consuming the right food.

Immediately after ingestion, the acid is absorbed by the intestines and continues its way through the blood into the body, helping to build collagen protein and play the role of antioxidant.

L-ascorbic acid

L-ascorbic acid, the chemical name of vitamin C, is the most bioavailable form of ascorbic acid. It is a common addition to most foods and beverages.

This product is a white or yellowish fine granular powder that dissolves rapidly in water and has a sour taste. It can be mixed with water or fruit juice or another beverage.

Although everyone is aware of the many benefits of eating vitamin C foods, not everyone includes them in their diet. Remember, however, that ascorbic acid deficiency is very dangerous to health.