Vitamin C - L-ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin, necessary for the proper functioning of the body. It is very unstable, constantly consumed, not stored in the body, hence the need for daily supplementation. Most animals and plants can produce their own vitamin C, unfortunately humans are not one of them and have to supply it from outside.
Vitamin C functions:
Vitamin C is extremely important for the proper functioning of the body due to its involvement in many different processes. It helps in the proper functioning of the immune system because it increases the activity of white blood cells and interferon.
This is why it is so popular in treating all kinds of infections, such as colds and flu, and in their prevention. It is a strong antioxidant. It protects cells against oxidative stress, and by interacting with vitamin E, which has a regenerating effect, it protects the circulatory system against free radicals. It also neutralizes harmful nitrosamines produced in foods exposed to high temperatures and considered highly carcinogenic.
Many important functions of vitamin C in the body result from its participation in the synthesis of collagen - the main protein of connective tissue, responsible for the elasticity of the skin, gums, joint cartilage, tendons and blood vessels.
Therefore, it is important not only for the appearance of the skin and preventing wrinkles, but more importantly for maintaining functional joints, but also flexible arteries and veins, which is of great importance in the prevention of atherosclerosis.