| Home | Disease Prevention | Drugs & Supplements | Diet & Nutrition | Fitness | Health Insurance | Medical Malpractice |
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an essential element necessary for a plethora of metabolic processes. The recommended daily intake is undecided and a subject of much conjecture. |
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant in humans. Unlike plants, birds and animals, the human body is unable to synthesize its own Vitamin C and they are reliant on supplements from food or other sources.
Scurvy is the best known disease resulting from a deficiency in Vitamin C. Scurvy results in spongy gums, bleeding from mucous membranes and formation on the skin of liver spots predominantly on the thighs and legs. The patient progressively becomes immobilized and depressed with a pale countenance. If the disease continues untreated, it leads to loss of teeth, suppurating wounds and eventually death. The capacity to store Vitamin C in the body is restricted and eventually the supply becomes depleted unless replenished.
In the days of the sailing ships on long voyages, sailors suffered from scurvy. Over a period of time the efficacy of native cures like drinking a decoction made of pine needles, began to be appreciated in staving off scurvy. It was only much later that a connection was established between lemons and limes and their ability to ward off the disease. Much later it became known that this was because of the Vitamin C content.
It is believed that high doses of ascorbic acid raise the estrogen levels which contribute to the termination of a normal pregnancy. Apparently a study was conducted on 20 pregnant women in Russia by administering high doses in the early stages of pregnancy. According to the reports, 16 of the 20 women began what appeared to be normal menstrual type bleeding from 1 to 3 days of commencing treatment. The reason advanced is that mega doses of Vitamin C prevent the egg from implanting itself on the uterine wall.
More Articles :