Antioxidant Vitamin
It has been sixty-five years since the antioxidant vitamin otherwise known as Vitamin C was discovered and since
then it has come to be known as a “wonder worker.” It is perhaps too easy to see why. This antioxidant vitamin
plays a role in collage formation and other life-sustaining functions. In addition to that it also serves as a key
nutrient for the immune system and a potent free-radical fighter. Antioxidant vitamins have been known to prevent
many illnesses from everyday ailments such as the common cold to devastating diseases such as cancer.
In the scientific world this antioxidant vitamin is known as ascorbic acid. It is water-soluble and its name
means “without scurvy” scurvy being a disease caused by a deficiency of this antioxidant vitamin. Many aspects of
our biochemical functioning depend a lot on ascorbic acid. The only problem is that among the handful of animal
species that cannot produce their own supply of antioxidant vitamin C human beings are one. Thus like other animals
including primates and guinea pigs we have no choice but to obtain our antioxidant vitamins from our diet.
How does antioxidant vitamin function in the body?
This is the question you might be asking right now. Yes antioxidant vitamin is good for the body. Yes you can
find lots of them from your own diet. However exactly how does it work?
Much like the immune system itself which operates at a cellular level the hardworking antioxidant vitamin C
reaches every cell of the body. Their concentration in the blood serum and even in the tissues is quite high. In
fact this antioxidant vitamin plays a major role in the manufacture and defense of our connective tissue which is
that elaborate matrix that holds the body together.
The antioxidant vitamin C helps some of our most important body systems. For instance this antioxidant vitamin
helps the immune system fight off foreign invaders and tumor cells. It also supports the cardiovascular system by
facilitating fat metabolism and protecting tissues from damage due to free radicals. In addition it assists the
nervous system by converting certain amino acids into neurotransmitters.
Antioxidant vitamins are key ingredients of collage which can be found in the skin teeth and bones. They contain
invader-resisting properties helping you keep your bones teeth and skin healthy and strong. The antioxidant vitamin
C also serves as a natural aspirin of sorts. By combating inflammation it helps alleviate pain due to headaches or
such. Antioxidant vitamin C accomplishes this task by inhibiting the secretion of protaglandins that contribute to
such symptoms.
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