Vitamin C is one of the essential nutrient required by the body. It is one of the water soluble vitamin and, hence, doesn’t last long in the body. Other example of water soluble vitamin includes vitamin B and its subtypes. Vitamin C is usually supplied to the body by a balanced diet. In few cases, supplements may be required. Vitamin C has various beneficial activities on the body.
At present, there is news about the role of vitamin C in combating against the coronavirus. Research is being conducted to know the extent of benefits rendered by Vitamin C to fight the covid-19 virus. Pharmaceuticals stores may show empty shelves of vitamin C. all this is due to the increased propaganda carried out on vitamin C benefits in the pandemic.
3MEDS-online medicine store in India, briefs about the role of vitamin C and covid-19
Vitamin C and its functions;
Vitamin C is a strong biological antioxidant. Apart from this, there are many health benefits such as absorption of iron, boosting immunity, collagen synthesis, etc. Recommended dietary allowance of vitamin C is 60-70mg/day. Breast feeding women requires additional 30 mg and that of smokers require 35 mg additionally.
Sources of vitamin C include gooseberry (amla). Citrus fruits like orange, sweet lime, tangerine, guava, green vegetables, and tomatoes. Many animals and plants can produce ascorbic acid from glucose. Milk is a low source of this vitamin C. However, humans cannot synthesize ascorbic acid due to the deficiency of a single enzyme namely L-gulonolactone oxidase. Therefore, the vitamin C should be provided in the diet.
Functions of the vitamin C
Most of the biochemical actions of vitamin C could be explained by its reducing property and its capacity for reversible oxidation-reduction between ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid is required for:
Hydroxylation reactions i.e. synthesis of collagen, epinephrine, bile acids and corticosteroid hormones, and degradation of tyrosine. Collagen is a constituent of ground substance of tissues such as inter-cellular cement substance of capillaries, bone teeth and scar tissue.
Ascorbic acid is necessary for the post-translational hydroxylation of proline and lysine residues in immature collagen.
Absorption of iron: ascorbic acid reduces iron from ferric to ferrous state, which is preferentially absorbed. Thus, it enhances iron absorption from the intestine.
Prevention of formation of methemoglobin: vitamin C is helpful in reconversion of methemoglobin to haemoglobin. Methemoglobin cannot bind oxygen as iron is in oxidized form ferric.
Antioxidant function: vitamin C is a strong biological antioxidant. Thus, inactivates the toxic oxygen free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive and are implicated in the development of cancer, heart diseases, aging, cataract, etc.
COVID 19 and vitamin C
COVID 19 is a viral infection caused by the novel strain of coronavirus named as SARS-CoV-2. The outbreak was reported in Wuhan, china which later took a form of pandemic. The viral infection presents flu-like symptoms. There is no vaccine to cure it completely. Treatment is aimed at providing symptomatic relief. Various trials and researches have been conducted to develop the vaccine as well other immunity boosting modalities. The role of Vitamin C is also researched to cure the coronavirus disease. However, there are no enough evidence to prove that vitamin C can prevent or treat the disease.
Vitamin C plays an important role to regulate the immune system. The antioxidant property of the vitamin C scavenges the free radicals and prevent their harmful effects. It is also responsible for collagen synthesis which maintains the health of the skin and prevents entry of harmful toxins into the body. Sideways, it also promotes wound healing. Vitamin C also promotes the growth and spread of lymphocytes and boost the activity of the phagocytes. These phagocytes are responsible for killing of invading infection by engulfing and destroying them.
According to various study reports, it has been found that vitamin C helps to improve the respiratory conditions in viral infections. But, the affect is same or not for the covid-19 is not clear. Intravenous dose of vitamin C have been given to critically ill patients in ICU which improved the condition of the patient. Oral supplements may or may not be effective. High doses of vitamin C results in hypervitaminosis which may lead to diarrhoea. Therefore, do not take vitamin C supplements without consultations.
In a nutshell,
Even though the media is flooded with the benefits of vitamin C, there is no cent percent credibility to imply this. If a physician prescribes you supplements, make sure you buy a trusted brand from trusted pharmaceuticals. For online delivery, trust 3MEDS-best healthcare service providers in India. Consume diet rich in essential vitamins and minerals to ward off the use of supplements.