Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin used to treat and prevent a wide variety of conditions. Often, people use it to prevent or treat the
common cold. However, there are other claimed uses of vitamin C as well, such as for reducing the risk of
heart disease. Some of these uses are more valid than others.
The vitamin has several different effects in the human body, such as:
- Antioxidant -- Many of the effects of vitamin C can be attributed to its antioxidant effects. As an antioxidant, it helps prevent the formation of free radicals, damaging molecules or atoms that can start a chain reaction of cellular damage. Free radicals play a role in various age-related conditions, such as cancer and heart disease.
- Immune function -- There are numerous different proposed mechanisms by which vitamin C may improve immune function. At this time, it is not entirely clear how the vitamin stimulates the immune system.
- Iron absorption -- Vitamin C aids in the absorption of iron from the digestive tract into the body.
- Various metabolic pathways and synthesis processes -- It is important for many different crucial processes in the body, including forming cartilage and proteins and building or breaking down numerous other compounds or tissues in the body.
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