YOU & YOUR HEALTH
Vitamin C
Jordi Mascio looks at the ways Vitamin C affects the formation and performance of hard and soft tissues in the body…
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E’VE long been aware that the body’s physiological and biochemical processes require some micronutrients like minerals and vitamins. Among water soluble vitamin category, Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid) plays important roles in homeostasis and metabolism and affect both soft and hard tissues of the body. Our bones and teeth are considered hard tissues while those which surround other organs and play the function of connectivity and support are soft tissues. These include connective tissues, adipose tissues, tendons and nerves, blood vessels and muscles as well as the heart. A third of our total body proteins is collagen. Collagen is the major protein in hard and soft tissues like bones and teeth, skin, cartilage, tendons, heart valves, blood vessels, eye muscles, cornea, and inter vertebral discs. Collagen holds us together. In view of its wider effects on normal functioning of soft and hard tissues, therapeutically, higher doses of Vitamin C have been used to treat and prevent many diseases like common cold, atherosclerosis, cardiac issues including stroke, retinopathy, cataract, glaucoma and cancer, so understanding the impact of Vitamin C is important.
Vitamin C
ON SOFT
AND HARD
TISSUES
The effects of Vitamin C on soft tissues Vitamin C is important in biosynthesis and maintenance of collagen due to its strong antioxidant properties. It acts as a cofactor in hydroxylation and optimises the activation of monooxygenase and hydroxylase enzymes which are required for collagen formation.
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HOLISTIC THERAPIST 2021
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