Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

Description

Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin. First isolated in 1923-1927. Zilva (SS Zilva) of lemon juice.

Vitamin C - a powerful antioxidant. It plays an important role in the regulation of redox processes involved in the synthesis of collagen and procollagen, metabolism of folic acid and iron, as well as the synthesis of steroid hormones and catecholamines. Ascorbic acid also regulates blood clotting, normalizes capillary permeability, need for blood, anti-inflammatory and potivoallergicheskoe action.

Vitamin C is a factor in protecting the body From the effects of stress. Enhances repair processes, increases resistance to infection. Reduces the effects of different allergens. There are many theoretical and experimental conditions for the use of vitamin C to prevent cancer. It is known that in cancer patients due to the depletion of its reserves in the tissues often develop symptoms of vitamin A deficiency, which adds to their introduction.

There are data showing the preventive role of vitamin C against cancer of the colon, esophagus, bladder, and endometrial (Block G., Epidemiology, 1992, 3 (3), 189-191.)

Vitamin C improves the body's ability to absorb calcium and iron, removes toxic copper, lead and mercury.

Importantly, in the presence of adequate amounts of vitamin C significantly increases the stability of vitamins B ₁ , B ₂ , A, E, pantothenic and folic acid. Vitamin C protects LDL cholesterol from oxidation and, consequently, the vascular walls of the oxidized forms of cholesterol deposits.

The ability to cope with the emotional and physical burden of stress is more dependent on vitamin C than from any other vitamin. The adrenal glands that secrete hormones necessary to act in stressful situations, contain more ascorbate than any other body part. Vitamin C helps the development of these stress hormones and protects the body from toxins produced during their metabolism.

Our body can not store vitamin C, so you must always get it later. Since it is water soluble and is exposed to a temperature, cooking with heat treatment destroys it.

Sources

A significant amount of ascorbic acid found in plant foods (citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables, cantaloupe, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, black currants, peppers, strawberries, tomatoes, apples, apricots, peaches, persimmons, buckthorn, dog rose, rowan, baked potatoes in 'uniform'). In foods of animal origin - brought low (liver, adrenal glands, kidneys).

Herbs rich in vitamin C: alfalfa, mullein, burdock root, chickweed, eyebright, fennel seed, fenugreek, hops, horsetail, kelp, peppermint, nettle, oat, cayenne pepper, red pepper, parsley, pine needles, yarrow, plantain , raspberry leaf, red clover, rose hips, skullcap, violet leaves, sorrel.

Vitamin C content in some foods (in mg per 100 g)

Name of food Amount of ascorbic acid Name of food Amount of ascorbic acid Vegetables Fruits and berries Eggplant 5 Apricots 10 Canned green peas 10 Oranges 50 Fresh green peas 25 Watermelon 7 Courgettes 10 Bananas 10 Cabbage 40 Cowberry 15 Sauerkraut 20 Grapes 4 Cauliflower 75 Cherry 15 Stale potato 10 Pomegranate 5 Potatoes new compiled 25 Pear 8 Green onions 27 Melon 20 Carrots 8 Pine strawberry 60 Cucumbers 15 Cranberries 15 Green bell pepper 125 Gooseberry 40 Red Pepper 250 Lemons 50 Radishes 50 Raspberries 25 Radish 20 Tangerines 30 Turnip 20 Peaches 10 Salad 15 Plum 8 Tomato juice 15 Red currant 40 Tomato paste 25 Black currants 250 Red tomatoes 35 Blueberries 5 Horseradish 110-200 Dried rosehips Up to 1500 Garlic Traces Apples, antonovka 30 Spinach 30 Apples northern varieties 20 Sorrel 60 Southern varieties of apples 5.10 Dairy produce Koumiss 20 Mare's milk 25 Goat's milk 3 Cow milk 2

Romanovsky, VE, Sinkova EA, vitamins and vitamin therapy. Series 'Medicine for you.' - Rostov n / a 'Phoenix', 2000, 320 p.

Remember that only a few people, and especially children are eating enough fruits and vegetables, which are the main food sources of the vitamin. Thermal processing, storage and biochemical products lead to the destruction of much of the vitamin C, which we might otherwise get from food. Even more it burns in the body under stress, smoking and other sources of cell damage, such as smoke and smog. Commonly used medications, such as aspirin and birth control pills, to a great extent, our bodies are deprived of the amounts of the vitamin, which we managed to get.

In addition to vitamin supplements to prevent hypovitaminosis used rose hips. Rose hips have a relatively high content of ascorbic acid (not less than 0.2%) and is widely used as a source of vitamin C. Use collected at maturity and dried fruits of different species of shrubs, wild rose. They contain, in addition to vitamin C, vitamin K, P, sugars, organic, including tanning, and other substances. Used as a tincture, extracts, syrups, pills, candies, dragees.

The infusion of rose hips prepared as follows: 10 g (1 tablespoon) of fruit placed in an enamel bowl, pour 200 ml (1 cup) of hot boiled water, close lid and heated in a water bath (boiling in water) for 15 minutes, then cooled at room temperature for at least 45 minutes, strain. Remaining raw squeeze and bring the volume received infusion of boiled water to 200 ml. Take 1/2 cup 2 times a day after meals. Children are 1/3 cup at a reception. To improve the taste, you can add sugar to the infusion or fruit syrup.

Rosehip syrup is made from the juice of fruits of various kinds of wild rose extract and berries (mountain ash, black chokeberry, viburnum, hawthorn berries, cranberries, etc.) with the addition of sugar and ascorbic acid. 1 ml contains about 4 mg of ascorbic acid and vitamin E, and other substances. Assign children (proactive) and 1/2 teaspoon or 1 dessert spoon (depending on age) 2 - 3 times a day, washing it down with water.

Daily maintenance

The daily requirement of vitamins C depends on several factors: age, gender, work performed, the state of pregnancy or breast-feeding, climate, bad habits.

• Illness, stress, fever, exposure to toxic effects (such as cigarette smoke) increases the need for vitamin C.
• In hot climates, and in the far north the need for vitamin C increases by 30-50 per cent. Young body absorb vitamin C than an older, so the elderly need for vitamin C increases slightly.
• Proved that contraceptives (oral contraceptives) lower levels of vitamin C in the blood and increase the daily need for it.

The weighted average rate of the physiological needs of 60-100 mg per day. The usual therapeutic dose of 500-1500 mg daily.

The recommended daily requirement for vitamin C

Category Age (years) Vitamin C (mg) Infants 0-0,5 30 0,5-1 35 Children 3.1 40 4.6 45 7.10 45 Males 11-14 50 15-18 60 19-24 60 25-50 60 51 and older 60 Females 11-14 50 15-18 60 19-24 60 25-50 60 51 and older 60 In pregnancy 70 During lactation 95

Divide the daily dose of vitamin C in some parts. Body quickly uses vitamin C as soon as it gets. Much more useful to support the continuing high concentration of vitamin A, which is easily achieved by dividing the total daily dose into several smaller doses taken during the day.

Raise and lower the dose gradually. Not shock your body with a sudden injection of large amounts of vitamin C.

Symptoms of hypovitaminosis

According to the head of the laboratory of vitamins and minerals, the Institute of Nutrition prof. VB Spirichev, surveys in different regions of Russia, shows that the vast majority of children of preschool and school-age lacks necessary for their normal growth and development of vitamins.

Particularly unfavorable situation with vitamin C, the lack of which was detected in 80-90% of the children.

In a study of children in hospitals in Moscow, Yekaterinburg, Nizhny Novgorod and other cities of vitamin C deficiency is found in 60-70%.

The depth of the deficit increases in winter and spring, but many children lack of supply of vitamins is maintained even in the more favorable summer and autumn months.

But inadequate intake of vitamins significantly reduces the activity of the immune system, increases the frequency and severity increases respiratory and gastro-intestinal diseases. According to local researchers, the lack of ascorbic acid in school children in 2 times reduces the ability of white blood cells trapped in the body to destroy disease-causing microbes, resulting in the frequency of acute respiratory diseases increased by 26-40%, and vice versa, vitamins significantly reduced the frequency of acute respiratory rate.

Failure may be exogenous (due to lack of ascorbic acid in food) and endogenous (due to violation of absorption and assimilation of vitamin C in the body).

In case of insufficiency of vitamins for a long time may develop vitamin deficiencies. Possible symptoms of vitamin C deficiency:

• bleeding gums
• agomphiasis
• easy bruising
• poor wound healing
• lethargy
• hair loss
• xerosis
• irritability
• general soreness
• joint pain
• a sense of comfort
• depression.

Safety of vitamin C when cooked

Name of course Safety of vitamin compared to the starting material in% Cabbage cooked with broth (cooking 1:00) 50 Soup, stand on a hot plate at 70-75 ° 3:00 20 However, the acidification 50 Soup, stand on a hot plate at 70-75 ° 6:00 10 Cabbage sauerkraut (cooking 1:00) 50 Stewed cabbage 15 Fried potatoes raw, finely chopped 35 Potatoes varivshiysya 25-30 minutes in the skin 75 However, the purified 60 Peeled potatoes, lay 24 hours in water at room temperature 80 Mashed potatoes 20 Potato Soup 50 However, standing on a hot plate at 70-75 ° 3:00 30 However, standing 6:00 traces Boiled carrots 40

From the book OP Molchanova 'Fundamentals of nutrition', Medgiz, 1949.

Statement

• prevention and treatment of hypo-and avitaminosis
• providing increased need for vitamin C:
  • during growth,
  • during pregnancy and lactation,
  • with severe physical stress,
  • with fatigue,
  • during recovery from a serious illness,
  • in winter with an increased risk of infectious disease
  • haemorrhagic diathesis
  • bleeding (nose, lung, uterine, etc.)
  • overdose of anticoagulants
  • in infectious diseases and intoxications
  • nephropathy in pregnant
  • liver
  • Addison's disease
  • at vyalozazhivayuschie wounds and fractures
  • dystrophy.

Safety

Contraindications to the use

• increased sensitivity to ascorbic acid

Side effects

• allergic reaction
• possibility of hypervitaminosis at high dosages.

The use of vitamin C giperdoz

A. Polling suggests that most colds can be prevented or mitigated by diet with ascorbic acid. He is convinced that in one or two decades, with ascorbic acid can be in most of the world to eliminate the common cold. Polling for this recommended daily intake of ascorbic acid from 0.25 to 10 g, considering the optimal dose of 0.25 g four times a day with meals. Upon contact with the sick, tired, or hypothermia dose should be increased. At the beginning of colds he recommends in the first 4 days to 4 g of ascorbic acid, the next 3-4 days, 3 g, and then within 6-8 days the dose is reduced to 2 and 1, the

According to calculations L. Polling every person should consume in a year 0.5 kg of ascorbic acid (about 1.5 g per day).

However, given the possible overdose of ascorbic acid, L. Polling hypothesis now requires serious and prolonged study.

Symptoms of hypervitaminosis

Vitamin C is well tolerated even at high doses.

However:

• At too high doses reception may develop diarrhea.
• Large doses can cause hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells) in patients suffering from the lack of a specific enzyme, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Therefore, people with such a violation can take high doses of vitamin C only under strict medical supervision.
• Ascorbic acid if taken in large doses, along with aspirin, may cause irritation of the stomach, thus, develop an ulcer (ascorbic acid as calcium ascorbate has a neutral reaction and is less invasive to the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract).
• In the application of vitamin C with aspirin should also be aware that large doses of aspirin may increase the release of vitamin C through the kidneys and loss of his urine and, therefore, some time later to a deficiency of vitamin.
• Vitamin C helps the absorption of aluminum in the gut, and because aluminum is in excess can be toxic, you should not take additional amounts of ascorbic acid, while drugs that contain aluminum (eg Almatel).
• Large doses of vitamin C (1 g or more) may change the ability to absorb vitamin B ₁₂ from food or from supplements. This can lead to a deficiency of vitamin B ₁₂ , which is dangerous. If you are taking high doses of vitamin C, you should periodically ask the doctor to control the level of vitamin B ₁₂levels. If it is dropped, you may be necessary from time to time to receive an additional amount of vitamin B ₁₂ by injection.
• Chewy candy and chewing gum with vitamin C can damage the enamel of the teeth should rinse your mouth or brush your teeth after they are received.
• During pregnancy is not recommended to take too high doses of vitamin C, since the fetus may be addictive.
• It should appoint a high-dose patients with increased blood clotting, thrombophlebitis and a tendency to thrombosis, and diabetes. With long-term use of large doses of ascorbic acid may inhibition of the function insular apparatus of the pancreas. During treatment should regularly monitor its functional capacity. In connection with the stimulating effect of ascorbic acid on the formation of corticosteroids in the treatment of high doses necessary to monitor renal function and blood pressure.

WHO Expert Committee introduced the concept of the acceptable daily dose course of vitamin C, which is less than 2.5 mg / kg body weight, and conditionally acceptable daily dose of vitamin C, which is 7.5 mg / kg (Shilov PI Yakovlev T . N., 1974).

The latest data

In studying the effect of vitamin C on passive smokers found that people who are in smoke-filled rooms, experiencing oxidative stress, which accelerates the progression of atherosclerosis.

Conclusion: passive smokers need subsidies vitamin C.