Essential nutrients cannot be synthesized in the organism, either at all or not in sufficient quantities, and therefore must be obtained through the diet. Vitamins are organic components in food that are needed in very small amounts for growth and for maintaining good health. The vitamin c content of food may be reduced by prolonged storage and by cooking. Vitamin c is probably one of the most unstable among the vitamins soluble in water.
Low levels of plasma vitamin c are associated with stroke and with an increased risk of all cause mortality. Vitamin d, found in milk, helps your bones grow and stay strong. It protects the bodys cells from damage caused by free radicals. An essential nutrient found mainly in fruits and vegetables. The antioxidant power of flavonoids is well documented in different studies. Ascorbic acid is well oxidized by air oxygen, especially in the presence of heavy metal ions such as. Dec 27, 2018 vitamin a deficiency vad is a significant public health problem in over 75 countries. Vitamin c deficiency is associated with increased morbidity in critically ill patients. Sources, functions, sensing and analysis intechopen. Vitamin c tips for getting more vitamin c from foods vitamin c breaks down in food over time. The body requires vitamin c to form and maintain bones, blood vessels, and skin.
Vitamin c plays an important role in limiting oxidative stress and maintaining endothelial integrity. Definition of vitamin e of the eight naturally occurring forms of vitamin e see section on naturally occurring forms and figure 61 only the. In the body, it acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect. Vitamin c is present in the lungs airway surfaces, and insufficient vitamin c levels have been associated.
B vitamins the bcomplex group of vitamins includes vitamins b6 and b12, as well as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin and pantothenic acid. The science of vitamin c research on optimizing blood and. It promotes healing and helps the body absorb iron. Vitamin c is present in the lungs airway surfaces, and insufficient vitamin c levels have been associated with bronchial constriction and reduced lung function. Ascorbic acid is a cofactor for the synthesis of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. Hypervitaminosisvitamin c toxicity it is not known to what extent routine ingestion of very high doses of vitamin c seriously impairs health in a lasting way. Vitamin c definition is a watersoluble vitamin c6h8o6 found in plants and especially in fruits and leafy vegetables or made synthetically and used in the prevention and treatment of scurvy and as an antioxidant for foods called also ascorbic acid. The body requires vitamin b2 to break down food components, maintain tissue, and absorb other nutrients. Some vitamin c is lost when a food is exposed to air or heat or cooked in water.
They make the case that vitamin c is not a micronutrient needed in trace amounts administered once a day to stave off dietinduced deficiencies. It can be synthesized by many mammals, but not by humans. The highest vitamin c content is found in green and red peppers, broccoli, citrus fruits, strawberries. The vitamins include vitamin d, vitamin e, vitamin a, and vitamin k, or the fatsoluble vitamins, and folate folic acid, vitamin b12, biotin, vitamin b6, niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, and. Vitamin c fact sheet for consumers office of dietary supplements. Vitamin e definition of vitamin e by merriamwebster. Vitamin c has a lowering effect on blood pressure, especially on systolic pressure more than a diastolic pressure. Vitamin and mineral requirements in human nutrition. Vitamin c is an important watersoluble antioxidant, which plays necessary roles in an animals body, especially in neonatal dairy calves.
Vitamins definition vitamins are organic components in food that are needed in very small amounts for growth and for maintaining good health. Vitamin definition is any of various organic substances that are essential in minute quantities to the nutrition of most animals and some plants, act especially as coenzymes and precursors of coenzymes in the regulation of metabolic processes but do not provide energy or serve as building units, and are present in natural foodstuffs or sometimes produced within the body. Instead, they argue, it is a vital nutrient that cannot be assimilated from even the best diet in the significantly. Vitamin c food and agriculture organization of the united nations. Vitamin c is very soluble in water and methanol, and about five times lower in ethanol. The vita in vitamin is derived from the latin word vita life. Free radicals can cause changes in cells and dna that can lead to illnesses, including cancer this. Use the force to ace this quiz on the words of the day from may 4 to may 10. Vitamin c is required for the biosynthesis of collagen.
Vitamin c can be synthesized by some species but not by others. However, at doses above 1,000 mgday, absorption falls to less than 50% 12. Based on the vitamin c intake required to achieve nearsaturation of plasma and leukocytes with minimal urinary excretion, and adjusted for body mass, an rda of 75 and 90 mgd for women and men, respectively, was established by the u. C, the ascorbate ion, or simply ascorbic acid, is the real vitamin c. Vitamin c definition of vitamin c by merriamwebster. However, we report here that vitamin c administered as a dietary supplement to healthy humans. It is estimated that up to 230 million children are at risk of vad and over one million vadassociated childhood deaths occur annually. Vitamin c, an essential watersoluble nutrient that cannot be synthesised by humans, has a role in numerous biological reactions. Vitamins generally cannot be synthesized in amounts sufficient to meet bodily needs and therefore must be obtained from the diet or from some synthetic source. Vitamin c is an essential dietary nutrient for the biosynthesis of collagen and a cofactor in the biosynthesis of catecholamines, lcarnitine, cholesterol, amino acids, and some peptide hormones. It is important for your skin, bones, and connective tissue. Vitamin c represents a redox system consisting of 2 lisomers. Vitamin c is a watersoluble vitamin, one that cannot be. Vitamin c is marketed as a dietary supplement, partly because of its antioxidant properties.
Blanching foods quickly and then freezing them can preserve the vitamin for a longer time. Cases of ascorbic acid vitamin c deficiency disease scurvy, are well. This chapter will definitely benefit the students, researchers and technologists globally. A vitamin is an organic molecule or related set of molecules that is an essential micronutrient which an organism needs in small quantities for the proper functioning of its metabolism. Vitamin c, also known as ascorbic acid, is a watersoluble nutrient found in some foods. Vitamin c is a critical component of both disease prevention and of basic body building processes. Free radicals can cause changes in cells and dna that can. Those affected are mostly refugees or victims of famine, older people, individuals with a history of alcohol misuse or an atypical diet, or children with autism or idiosyncratic behavioral abnormalities. Vitamin c is an essential nutrient involved in the repair of tissue and the enzymatic production of certain neurotransmitters. Neonatal dairy calves receive vitamin c from their dam. It goes on to explain that vitamin c ascorbic acid is absorbed in the body by both active transport and passively by simple diffusion.
The real story, the authors revisit the definition of vitamin c. Occasional large intakes of vitamin c may cause stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhoea in some fasting subjects but have no longterm adverse effects. Vitamin c, also known as ascorbic acid and ascorbate, is a vitamin found in various foods and sold as a dietary supplement. Vitamin c definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Vitamin c ascorbic acid is a watersoluble vitamin, which is necessary in the body to form collagen in bones, cartilage, muscle, and blood vessels and aids in. It is required for the functioning of several enzymes. Overview, antioxidant definition, and relationship to chronic disease overview this report focuses on vitamin c, vitamin e, selenium, and. Vitamin b2 is usually sold as part of bcomplex or multivitamin products in the form of tablets, powders and liquids.
May, 2019 foods rich in vitamin c include broccoli, cantaloupe, cauliflower, kale, kiwi, orange juice, papaya, red, green or yellow pepper, sweet potato, strawberries, and. Vitamin c definition of vitamin c by the free dictionary. Higdon and balz frei linus pauling institute, oregon state university, corvallis, or 97331 structure and chemistry of vitamin c lascorbic acidthe chemical name for lascorbic acid is 2,3didehydrolthreohexano1,4lactone. You can get enough vitamin c by eating a variety of foods including citrus fruits such as. The vitamins include vitamin d, vitamin e, vitamin a, and vitamin k, or the fatsoluble vitamins, and folate folic acid, vitamin b 12, biotin, vitamin b 6, niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, and vitamin c ascorbic acid, or the watersoluble vitamins. Vitamin c, also known as lascorbic acid, is a watersoluble vitamin that is naturally present in some foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement. Humans, unlike most animals, are unable to synthesize vitamin c endogenously, so it is an essential dietary component 1. Vitamin c, also known as ascorbic acid, is a watersoluble vitamin, which means it cannot be stored in the body and we must take it from dietary sources. Vitamin c comes from citrus fruits and juices, such as oranges and grapefruits. Other sources include fruits and vegetables like strawberries, pineapple, raspberries, green and red bell peppers, tomatoes, spinach and broccoli. Jun 27, 2018 the 2000 rda states in humans approximately 70%90% of vitamin c is absorbed at moderate intakes of 30180 mgday.
Ascorbic acid vitamin c essential in the synthesis of collagen thus, strengthens tissues and improves wound healing and resistance to infection. Dec 20, 2018 vitamin c also functions as an antioxidant, protecting you from the damage done by free radicals. A vitamin, thus, is a nutrient required to sustain life. Dec 10, 2019 the vitamin c content of food may be reduced by prolonged storage and by cooking. An essential nutrient found in meat, dairy foods, plant foods and grain products. Vitamin c university of florida, institute of food and agricultural sciences pdf. Deficiency of vitamin c is relatively rare, and primarily. However, we report here that vitamin c administered as a. An organic compound is a substance that 1 occurs in living things, or organisms hence, the word organic and 2 contains the elements.
Hypervitaminosis vitamin c toxicity it is not known to what extent routine ingestion of very high doses of vitamin c seriously impairs health in a lasting way. Vitamin c lascorbic acid and its reduced form, dehydroascorbic acid is a watersoluble vitamin whose bestdefined function is as a cofactor for the enzyme required in the hydroxylation of proline and lysine in collagen formation. The benefits of vitamins a, e, c, b, and zinc healthy. Definition scurvy is a lifethreatening condition due to dietary vitamin c deficiency. Scurvy was also reported in selected communities in south africa, e. Vitamin solubility disease caused by deficiency vitamin a fat. Flavonoids may also influence the ability of vitamin c to be absorbed and utilized by the body. The populations at risk of vitamin c deficiency are those for whom the fruit and vegetable supply is minimal. Increased consumption of ascorbic acid raises serum ascorbic levels and. Like other vitamins, vitamin b2 is an organic compound. Vitamin c definition of vitamin c by medical dictionary. Sep 05, 2017 flavonoids may also influence the ability of vitamin c to be absorbed and utilized by the body.
In nature there are only lform of ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acid. Vitamin c is easily absorbed both in food and in pill form, and it can enhance the absorption of iron when the two are eaten together. Vitamin c ascorbic acid an overview and introduction. Vitamin e definition is any of several fatsoluble vitamins that are chemically tocopherols whose lack in the human body is associated especially with neurological symptoms as ataxia and muscle weakness, that are found especially in wheat germ, vegetable oils, egg yolk, and green leafy vegetables or are made synthetically, and that are used chiefly in animal feeds and as antioxidants. Vitamin c, also known as ascorbic acid, is an essential vitamin commonly found in citrus fruits such as lemons, grapefruits and oranges. Vitamin b6 definition is pyridoxine or a closely related compound found widely in combined form and considered essential to vertebrate nutrition.
Vitamin, any of several organic substances that are necessary in small quantities for normal health and growth in higher forms of animal life. Vitamins definition of vitamins by medical dictionary. Vitamin c deficiency symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Vitamin c plays an essential role in the production collagen in the body, which is a type of protein needed by various different tissues including. Vitamin c can be synthesized by some species but not. Vitamin b6 definition of vitamin b6 by merriamwebster. The term vitamin does not include the three other groups of essential nutrients. Most of the vitamins functionality in the human body is related to the role of vitamin c as an electron donor.
1138 1262 462 334 1295 1310 481 1500 604 836 442 1259 344 745 398 516 808 737 880 983 575 1244 944 392 1235 1260 1646 425 1558 1315 924 3 1159 1300 598 45 1008 142 1277 222 1316 1164 64 218 795