Role of Vitamin C in immunity

In order to defend the host against a wide range of pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and cancer cells, the immune system has evolved into a complex network of specialised organs, tissues, cells, proteins, and chemicals. The role of vitamin C in the immune system, especially the innate immune system, has been studied for more than 50 years1.

Vitamin C plays an important role in supporting the immune system and helps develop and maintain bones, blood vessels and skin. This nutrient is found in many foods, including fruits and vegetables. Vitamin C supplements are also available.

As expected, COVID-19 forces people to prioritize immunity to protect themselves from disease and infection2. 

L-ascorbic acid, a water-soluble form of vitamin C, is an antioxidant that helps our bodies prevent or repair cellular damage. Additionally, it plays a role in several immune system-related metabolic pathways.

Significant Vitamin C advantages include:

Collagen, which is necessary for the development and maintenance of healthy bones, blood vessels, skin, teeth, gums, and joint linings, is produced by the body with the help of this vitamin C. It also promotes the healing of wounds. Additionally, vitamin C from food can lower the risk of cartilage loss in people with osteoarthritis. Nitric oxide production, blood vessel relaxation, and plaque instability are all improved by the antioxidant vitamin C in atherosclerosis. By doing so, cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure can be prevented. Additionally, vitamin C supplementation is frequently advised for people with anemia brought on by iron deficiency because it increases iron absorption3. Increasing vitamin C levels helped reduce allergy symptoms, according to a recent study in 2020 4.

How Vitamin C influences the Immunity1,5:

Vitamin C is one of the most important supplements. By supporting a number of cellular processes used by your body's adaptive immune systems, it helps to protect your immune system. It performs an antioxidant role in addition to scavenging free radicals, which reduces inflammation and boosts the immune system. It can aid in keeping your skin healthy and enable it to act as a barrier against potentially harmful substances that might otherwise enter the body.

High doses of vitamin C may shorten the duration of cold symptoms, suggests recent research. Additionally, it increases the production of cytokines by white blood cells and suppresses the apoptosis (cell death) of numerous varieties of T-lymphocytes. The production of antibodies and the activity of natural killer cells are two additional effects. The permeability of bacterial membranes to some medications can also be increased by vitamin C. Sources of Vitamin C6:

Vitamin C must be a regular part of our diets if we want to boost immunity. All fruits and vegetables contain some vitamin C, but these are particularly good sources:

Cauliflower, tomatoes, and guavas have 228 mg of vitamin C per 100 grams. Cereals are not the only foods and drinks that have vitamin C added. You are advised to read the product labels to determine the amount of vitamin C contained in each item.

Reference

  • Carr, A. C. & Maggini, S. Vitamin C and Immune Function. Nutrients 9, 1211 (2017).
  • Bae, M. & Kim, H. The Role of Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Selenium in Immune System against COVID-19. Molecules 25, 5346 (2020).
  • Chambial, S., Dwivedi, S., Shukla, K. K., John, P. J. & Sharma, P. Vitamin C in Disease Prevention and Cure: An Overview. Indian J Clin Biochem 28, 314–328 (2013).
  • Cerullo, G. et al. The Long History of Vitamin C: From Prevention of the Common Cold to Potential Aid in the Treatment of COVID-19. Front Immunol 11, 574029 (2020).
  • Vitamin C and Immune Function - PubMed. Learn more.
  • Role of Vitamin C in Strengthening Immunity. Truebasics Blog Learn more (2020).