LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Vitamin C: Body
built 270 days ago
Collagen - Vitamin C is necessary for the manufacture of collagen, the protein which forms the basis of connective tissue. The most abundant tissue in the body, connective tissue acts as a cementing substance between cells. It helps support and protect blood vessels, bones, joints, organs and muscles and forms a sizeable proportion of skin, tendons, the cornea of the eye, ligaments, cartilage, teeth and bone. Collagen forms a protective barrier and promotes healing of wounds, fractures and bruises.
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Vitamin C intake markedly reduces the severity of a cold; it ... effectively prevents secondary viral and bacterial complications. Vitamin C works by stimulating the immune system and protecting against damage by the free radicals released by the body in its fight against infection. (54)
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A recent study conducted at the University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine shows that vitamin C may reduce the risk of heart disease and other illnesses. It ... shows that those who have higher levels of vitamin C in their blood may actually live longer, compared to those who had lower levels. The researchers found that vitamin C is an antioxidant and removes free radicals from the body. A free radical is an unstable oxygen molecule that gets into the blood from environmental toxins, food chemicals, over exertion, etc. For more information, go to the journal. Source: Lancet, March 3, 2001.
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Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant required for 300 metabolic functions in the body, which includes tissue growth and repair, adrenal gland function and healthy gums. Ascorbic acid is related to carbohydrate metabolism. Deficiency production of insulin takes place in ascorbic acid deficiency. It is ... essential for the proper functioning of the formative cells of various tissues, such as fibroblasts, osteoblasts etc. it helps in the synthesis of collagen which acts as a connective tissue between the bones. It also helps in the deposition of calcium and phosphates in the bones.
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The saturable kinetics of vitamin C make toxicity more likely when multiple large doses (~1gram) are consumed throughout a day versus one single dose. A common symptom of unabsorbed vitamin C left in the gastrointestinal tract is osmotic diarrhea (13). Vitamin C can be transformed in the body to oxalate, which is a common constituent of kidney stones. Doses up to 10 grams have shown to be associated with a higher prevalence of oxalate excretion, but the level does not fall outside of the normal range. As a precaution, people who are prone to kidney stones may want to avoid large doses (10 times the DRI or greater) of the vitamin (13). People who lack the control to regulate iron uptake should ... avoid large doses of the vitamin.
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The recommended dietary allowances, or RDAs, for vitamin C were recently increased. Levels were increased to provide maximum health benefits. Levels were raised from 60 mg daily to 75 mg per day for women and 90 mg per day for men. Smokers are advised to take an extra 35 mg daily. This is because smoking depletes the body of some vitamin C. Pregnant and nursing women need slightly more, too. Many people do not get enough vitamin C. Thirty-nine percent of men and 43 percent of women fall short of the recommended amount.
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