Ascorbic Acid

What is Ascorbic Acid?

Ascorbic acid is also known as Vitamin C. It is a water soluble vitamin that has numerous amount of use in the human body.

Among it biggest uses is as an antioxidant. It functions to protect LDL cholesterol. It may also protect against heart disease by reducing the stiffness of arteries and tendency of platelets to clump together.

For smokers or those exposed to second hand smoke, Ascorbic Acid can protect them from the harmful effects of free radicals. Vitamin C is needed to make collagen, the "glue" that strengthens many parts of the body, such as muscles and blood vessels.

Vitamin C also plays important roles in wound healing and as a natural antihistamine. This vitamin also aids in the formation of liver bile and helps to fight viruses and to detoxify alcohol and other substances.

Fatigue, easy bruising, and bleeding gums are early signs of vitamin C deficiency that occur long before frank scurvy develops. Smokers have low levels of vitamin C and require a higher daily intake to maintain normal vitamin C levels.

Ascorbic Acid will normally be prescribed in dietary supplements when one has any of the following conditions:

• Anaemia (if deficient)
• Athletic performance (if deficient, or to reduce pain and speed up muscle strength recovery after intense exercise)
• Bronchitis
• Bruising and burns, 
• Capillary fragility
• Common cold/sore throat and other infection,
• Gingivitis (periodontal disease) (for deficiency only)
• Glaucoma, and
• Heart attack and High cholesterol among other uses.
  

Side Effects and Warnings of Ascorbic Acid

People with the following conditions should consult their doctor before supplementing with Ascorbic Acid: glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, iron overload (hemosiderosis or hemochromatosis), history of kidney stones, or kidney failure.

People who form calcium oxalate kidney stones should avoid Ascorbic Acid supplements, because Ascorbic Acid can be converted into oxalate and increase urinary oxalate. Ascorbic Acid increases the absorption of iron and should be avoided by people with iron overload diseases (e.g., hemochromatosis, hemosiderosis).

A few people do suffer from diarrhoea when using Ascorbic Acid but it is a safe supplement for most people if used at the recommended dosage. Discuss with your doctor if Ascorbic Acid is good for you.

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