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. But 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.