Did you know that low vitamin C levels are not uncommon? Though not clinically deficient, most of our patients are functionally low in this vital nutrient. “Functionally low” means that levels are not optimal for overall wellness. By contrast, high vitamin C status is associated with lower risk of stroke, coronary heart disease, and hypertension.

Vitamin C is needed for the growth and repair of all tissues in the body, to form blood vessels, cartilage, muscle, and collagen, and is vital for your body's healing process. Although it performs many key functions, vitamin C is best known for its critical role in immune function.

What Is Vitamin C?

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that functions as an antioxidant, meaning it provides protection against cell damage caused by free radicals. This crucial vitamin plays a key role in protein metabolism for the synthesis of neurotransmitters (for brain/cognition and mood), carnitine (for energy metabolism), and collagen (for bone, blood vessels, tendons, skin, and joints). Vitamin C is also involved in adrenal support, cholesterol metabolism, and regeneration of other antioxidants, such as vitamin E. Vitamin C enhances the absorption of non-heme iron, the type of iron found in plant-based foods, which is not as easily absorbed as heme iron found in animal protein. In supplement form, vitamin C is often in the form of ascorbic acid but is also available in other forms such as sodium ascorbate, calcium ascorbate, and other mineral ascorbates.

How Does Vitamin C Work?

As an antioxidant, vitamin C neutralizes free radicals by donating an electron to these unstable molecules. What exactly does that mean? Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus of an atom. When atoms have unpaired electrons (free radicals) in their outermost shells, they become unstable and reactive, causing damage to cells, proteins, and DNA. Vitamin C has the ability to donate an electron, a process that stabilizes the free radical, preventing its reactivity and the damage it causes.

During infections, vitamin C stimulates production of white blood cells which work to defend the body against infections and foreign invaders. This powerful nutrient has been shown to influence the production of cytokines, responsible for conducting immune responses in the body. Although high dose vitamin C has not been proven to prevent the common cold, regular intake of up to 1,000 mg daily has been shown to reduce the duration of cold symptoms.

For more information on Vitamin C, check out our Podcast, Optimize Your Health with Vitamin C featuring Dr. Thomas Levy M.D.

What Depletes Vitamin C In Annapolis?

Unlike most mammals, humans cannot produce vitamin C but must instead obtain it from diet or supplementation. Therefore, one of the most common causes of low vitamin C is low dietary intake. However, another major cause of low levels is malabsorption, which can happen from gut infections, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and pancreatic disorders. Other common risk factors include stress, aging, illness, heavy alcohol intake, cigarette smoking, kidney disease, certain medications (such as antacids), heavy metal exposure, and radiation.

Low levels of vitamin C prior to deficiency include the same symptoms as one would have with scurvy: fatigue, joint pain, weakness, gum disease (such as gingivitis, or bleeding gums), skin problems, and poor wound healing, in addition to mood changes/depression, joint and muscle aches, dry and brittle hair, dry skin, easy bruising, weakened immune response, and frequent nosebleeds. Basically, despite all the benefits vitamin C provides, the opposite is true when levels are low.

What Supplements To Take?