Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) – Uses, Side Effects, And More

Vitamin ‘C’ (Ascorbic acid) 

• Vitamin C is also known as Ascorbic acid. Vitamin C came into light when treatment and reasons for scurvy disease were discovered. These are white shaped crystals and are soluble in water. They are readily oxidized, especially in the presence of base, temperature, light and copper.

 Functions of vitamin ‘C’— 

1. Formation of collagen and intra-cellular substances—

• Vitamin C forms intra-cellular substances which help in binding tissues such as cells, bones, teeth, connective tissue.

2. Helpful in absorption of iron—

• vitamin C converts ferric salts into ferrous salts which get absorbed in to the alimentary tract.

3. As a co-enzyme—

• vitamin C acts as a coenzyme for various metabolic activities.

4. Formation of bones—

• vitamin C contributes in growth, development and formation of bones. Deficiency of this vitamin causes some changes in bones because bone matrix and other allied substances are not formed properly.

5. As an anti-oxidant—

• Vitamin C works as an important anti-oxidant. It helps in maintaining activily of white blood cells and protects the body against infections.

6. Maintaining health of blood vessels—

• Vitamin C keeps blood vessels healthy and provides strength and firmness to the walls of vessels.

7. Healing of wounds—

• vitamin C forms collagen which helps in healing of wounds.

8. Increasing disease-resistance capacity—

• Vitamin C protects cell damage during incidence of diseases such as tuberculosis, pneumonia etc. Vitamin C increases disease-resistance capacity.

Effects of deficiency of vitamin ‘C’— 

• Deficiency of vitamin C for a long time causes scurvy.

 Scurvy is of two types—

 (1) Scurvy in adults—

• survey in adults occurs due to consumption of food lacking in vitamin C.

Symptoms— 

• Weakness, weight loss
•  Lethargy, laziness and fatigue
•  Because of deficiency of vitamin C, iron is not absorbed properly leading to anemia.
•  Skin becomes dry, rough, yellow and dull
• Gums get dried and teeth weaken leading to tooth loss.
• Body muscles become inactive

2. Scurvy in children—

• deficiency of vitamin C in children causes scurvy. This disease does not occur in children below 6 months. It occurs in children betyween age 6-12 months. Scurvy is a very dangerous disease in children.

 Symptoms— 

•  Children become irritable,lazy and lethargic.
•  Swelling and pain in legs
•  Walls of blood vessels get damaged
•  Healing of wounds takes place slowly
• Swelling in gums, mouth seems to stink Chest bones curved in
•  Difficulty in breathing, body turns blue, twitching of body occurs and the child dies.

Sources of vitamin ‘C’—

• Gooseberry and guava are best sources of vitamin C. all sour fruits such as lemon, oranges, sugarcane, mango, papaya and vegetable such as tomatoes, amaranth, cauliflower, coriander leaves, drumstick leaves, radish leaves are good sources of vitamin C. spouted grains and lentils also have good quantity of  Vitamin C .

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Vitamins Questions and Answers :-

Que1. Which of the given was invented by Kazimierz Funk?
(a) Enzymes
(b) Hormones
(c) Vitamins
(d) Proteins

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Que2. What type of compounds are Vitamins?
(a) Organic Compound
(b) Inorganic Compound
(c) Living Organisms
(d) None of the above

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Que3. Which is also known as the “Accessory dietary factor”?
(a) Fats
(b) Vitamins
(c) Proteins
(d) Hormones

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Que4. Which is not an essential element for plant growth?
(a) Potassium
(b) Calcium
(c) Magnesium
(d) Sodium

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Que5. Which of the given has the highest calorie value per unit?
(a) Vitamins
(b) Proteins
(c) Fats
(d) Carbohydrates
Ans. ⇒ ????