What does Vitamin C do? Why is it so important?

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is important to a healthy life. Sailors used to die from the Vitamin C deficiency disorder ‘scurvy’. Today, conscientious nutrition and, when the need increases, the use of Vitamin C preparations ensure good provision of Vitamin C.

Vitamin C is an organic binding agent that bio-chemists call levo-ascorbic acid or simply ascorbic acid. If the body does not get sufficient Vitamin C over a long period of time, deficiencies will appear within several months, which in  final stages are called scurvy. Until the 18th century, scurvy was the most frequent cause of death on sea voyages. Symptoms of scurvy can include tiredness, muscle aches, spontaneous bleeding from the gums, delayed healing from wounds or poor immune defences.

In the 18th century, the English ships’ doctor, James Lind, finally discovered that the lack of a substance in the diet was responsible for scurvy, and that orange and lemons were effective in preventing and treating scurvy. In 1921, the bio-chemist Sylvester Zilva called a mixture of substances isolated from lemon juice ‘Vitamin C’. This mixture could heal scurvy.

Highest award for the discovery of Vitamin C

In 1927, the Hungarian scientist Szent-Györgyi, finally succeeded in isolating Vitamin C from the adrenal cortex. In 1934, Haworth was able to synthesize Vitamin C. In 1937, Szent-Györgyi and Haworth received a Nobel prize for their work.

High award for Vitamin C

In 1937, Haworth received the Nobel prize for Chemistry for his research into Vitamin C and Szent-Györgyi received the Nobel prize for Medicine.

Between 1940 and 1980, Vitamic C mechanism of action was decoded and many other functions of Vitamin C in the body were discovered; its use in healing wounds, its effect on the body’s immune response and, finally, the discovery of Vitamin C as an antioxidant that can capture free radicals in the body and thereby protect the cells.

Long-term effectiveness of Vitamin C

Vitamin C could be synthesized since the 30’s. In 1984, the Cetebe® brand was finally able to bring the high-dosage Vitamin C product with long-term effectiveness to market. This product can supply the body with Vitamin C for several hours.

Vitamin C protects us against the free radicals that constantly attack cells and tissues. It aids the white blood cells to target pathogens and protects the membranes of the immune cells.

Vitamin C has a number of effects on the body, which have to do with its ability to capture the free radicals that constantly attack the cells and tissues of our bodies. Free radicals damage cells, which may then either die or mutate. Cellular debris and degenerated cells must be removed by the immune system.

There are more functions in the immune system in addition to this generally protective function. The immune system's leucocytes require Vitamin C to detect and dispose of pathogens. Vitamin C helps the white blood cells that target pathogens (chemotaxis) and protect the membranes of the immune cells. Many scientific studies have proven these important connections in detail.

1984: Market introduction of the first high-dosage Vitamin C product

1975-79: Discovery of the effect of Vitamin C in the capture of free radicals

1970: Worldwide interest in Vitamin C

1937: Nobel prize for research in the field of ascorbic acid

1933: Vitamin C first called ascorbic acid

1728: Vitamin C isolated for the first time

1747: Discovery of the cause of scurvy

Roughly 1550-400 BC: Symptoms of scurvy catalogued for the first time

Body functions page

Vitamin C is best known for the role that it plays in the immune system, but it is certainly not the only purpose. Our table will provide you with an overview of its scientifically proven purposes.

What are the scientific facts of Vitamin C?

Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system

• Above all, Vitamin C supports the innate immune system
• Vitamin C is important to the first line of defence against bacteria and viruses
• Vitamin C is highly concentrated in the white blood cells, that kill viruses and bacteria
• Vitamin C stimulates the reproduction of T lymphocytes, which can eliminate infected cells
• Vitamin C removes the free radicals that appear as part of the inflammation reaction

Vitamin C contributes to the protection of cells against oxidative stress

• Vitamin C is considered a “free-radical scavenger” because of its antioxidant properties.
• Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant and protects cells against free radicals and oxidative stress.

 Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the blood vessels

• Vitamin C contributes to the collagen metabolism and supports the normal operation of blood vessels by doing so.

Vitamin C supports the body’s ability to absorb iron

• Iron shortages lead to reduced performance. Vitamin C helps absorb iron.

 Vitamin C contributes to the normal formation of collagen for the normal functioning of the bones and cartilage

 

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid): Provision

Nutrition is the most important source of Vitamin C, in opposition to; oxygen, light and heat which quickly causes the loss of Vitamin C. If sufficient Vitamin C cannot be provided by diet, preparations can contribute to filling the gap.

The German Association for Nutrition (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung) recommends a daily intake of 110mg of Vitamin C for men above age 19, and 95mg for women above age 19. Nutrition is the most important source of Vitamin C. Many vegetables are also excellent sources of Vitamin C in addition to fresh fruits.

Vitamin C is very sensitive therefore in regards to storage; oxygen, light and temperature can cause the loss of Vitamin C from our diets, up to 100%. Even after two days of storage, the loss of Vitamin C can be significant. An apple can lose its entire Vitamin C content when stored for a month at room temperature. The Vitamin C content of frozen fruits and vegetables may be nearly null after six months. Even tin cans do not provide continuous protection: up to 60% of the Vitamin C content can be lost within a year.

 

Time released preparations bridge the Vitamin C gap

Giving the body too much Vitamin C is not reasonable, because the body can only store a limited amount. In some cases (such as pregnancy and nursing), the body does have an increased need for Vitamin C. If that need is not met in a timely manner, Vitamin C deficiency can result in serious health problems. If sufficient Vitamin C cannot be absorbed through diet, Vitamin C preparations (such as Cetebe Vitamin C Retard 500*, Cetebe ABWEHR plus** or Cetebe Abwehr Fit**) can contribute to covering the gap.

*Medicine

**Nutritional supplement

 

Learn about increased Vitamin C requirements

The German Association for Nutrition (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung) recommends a daily intake of 100mg of Vitamin C for adults. However, there is an increased need for Vitamin C in the following cases:

 

• Pregnancy and nursing

During pregnancy, providing vitamins to the unborn child is the highest priority. Despite that, the mother’s body also needs sufficient Vitamin C, which creates an increased need. From the fourth month, the German Association for Nutrition (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung) recommends a daily intake of 110mg of Vitamin C and 150mg while nursing.

 

• Sports

During athletic activities, the demand for Vitamin C also increases. The activity increases the formation of free radicals. Vitamin C is needed to combat these radicals.

 

• Tobacco consumption

Thanks to its antioxidant properties, Vitamin C has the ability to neutralise several hazardous materials from cigarette smoke and thereby reduce the damage to cells and tissues. For smokers, the German Association for Nutrition (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung) recommends a daily intake of 155mg for men and 135mg for women.

 

• Diabetes mellitus

The increased blood sugar from diabetes mellitus can damage the capillaries in the eyes, the heart or the nerves. The primary cause is oxidative stress from an increased amount of free radicals. These free radicals can damage the fatty materials of the cell walls, the body’s protein and the genetic material. For that reason, it is extremely important to ensure a sufficient supply of free radical scavenger, which include Vitamin C.

Since Vitamin C concentration in the diabetic’s blood is at least 30% lower than non-diabetics, diabetics should take twice as much Vitamin C in order to achieve the same plasma level in the blood as non-diabetics. The amounts of Vitamin C recommended for diabetics are difficult to achieve from a normal diet.