Aiding the immune system - Vitamin C

Vitamin C ( L-ascorbic acid ) is probably the most well known vitamin.

It aids collagen and connective tissues production. It helps speed wound healing because of its relationship with the formation of connective tissue.

It is a powerful antioxidant which means that it fights oxidative stress which are changes seen in response to excessive levels of cytotoxic oxidants and free radicals - free radicals cause inflammation. Vitamin C aids immune function.

A deficiency of most vitamins may impair immune system function.

It is also a powerful anti-inflammatory agent, which explains its usefulness in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and related conditions.

Eating fruits and vegetables to naturally get the recommended doses of vitamin C is encouraged.

One of the best things we can do is eat a well-balanced diet, this is especially true for those with an autoimmune disease. When suffering with an autoimmune disease it is important to eat foods that aid the immune system.

Foods that contain vitamin C are crucial for proper immune functioning and include oranges, tangerines, guava, peppers, papaya, parsley, rosehips, thyme, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, kiwi fruit, cherries, strawberries and cress. I think that if we can add fresh parsley to many of our meals we would get the many benefits of Vitamin C easily. Parsley helps not only because it is high in vitamin C it is also high in the antioxidants vitamin A, and E, which can help soothe inflammation.

Research into Vitamin C:

• Deficiency of vitamin C impairs phagocyte function and cellular immunity (Chandra, 1986). This includes inhibition of neutrophil mobility which, in turn, inhibits the formation of inflammatory reactions (Beisel, 1987)


• A report in the 'Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases' says that eating foods high in vitamin C protects against inflammatory polyarthritis, a form of rheumatoid arthritis involving two or more joints. This study involved more than 23,000 participants.


• Some research shows that diets low in vitamin C may cause increased risk of cataracts, stomach, throat and lung cancer and heart disease.
  

RESOURCES:

• US Government Office of Dietary Supplements Vitamin C Fact Sheet


• Linus Pauling Institute on Vitamin C


• Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Carotenoids