See what it can do

Vitamin C has many functions. It starts working right in the intestinal tract, where it promotes

the absorption of iron. It helps produce healthy collagen, the protein that is the backbone of connective tissue. As a result, it is essential for healhty skin and blood vessels, good wound healing, and sound bones.

In the brain and nervous system, vitamin C is essential for the production of neurotransmitters, chemicals that convey message between nerve cells. Vitamin C has a role in the immune system, especially by enhancing the function of the white blood cells that gobble up invading bacteria.

In the endocrine system, it appears to improve glucose (sugar) metabolism. It also affects prostaglandins and nitri oxide, chemicals that have major roles in blood clotting, vascular function, and lung function.

Any one of these roles would quality vitamin C as essential.But the function that has attracted the most interest is vitamin C's role as an antioxidant. In fact, it is one of the most powerful and versatile antioxidants in nature.

Acting on its own, it can protect DNA from oxidative damage, perhaps reducing the risk of cancer, protecting againts memory loss and various neurological diseases, and possibly even slowing the aging process itself. Vitamin C helps protect LDL ("bad") cholesterol from oxidative damage - and since oxidation damage - and since oxidation puts the "bad" into bad" cholesterol",, it might reduce the risk of heart disease, strike, and peripheral artery diase. And vitamin C also helps regenerate vitamin E, boosting supplies of another powerful entioxidant.

It'a an impressive array of function; still, vitamin C's only proven therapeutic roles is to prevent scurvy (bleeding and rotten gums, skin rash, swollen joints muscle weakness, and profound fatigue characterise the disease) - but indirect evidence suggests it may do alot more.