Vitamin C is a water-soluble Vitamin also called ascorbic acid. Vitamin C is essential for the life of both humans and animals. Although all plants and most animals synthesize ascorbic acid on their own, humans and a few animals such as monkeys, apes, and guinea pigs cannot manufacture it in their bodies. Our own body requires vitamin C in very small quantities but because our body cannot produce it, we need to take it from various other sources. Citrus fruits, tomatoes, and green peppers are just some of the many rich sources of Ascorbic acid.

Benefits of Vitamin C

The benefits of Vitamin C are numerous. Ascorbic acid supports many biological processes in our body, such as the formation and maintenance of collagen, production of neurotransmitters, and the production of thyroid hormones. Ascorbic acid also works as a natural laxative and as an antioxidant in our bodies and therefore it helps in treating constipation and improving the utilization of blood sugar while controlling high blood pressure(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/High-Blood-Pressure.html). In addition, it helps in reducing cholesterol and enhancing our immune system. Other benefits of Vitamin C include:

Cure Degenerative Diseases:

due to its antioxidant properties, vitamin C has shown to aid in the cure of degenerative diseases such as cataracts, certain types of cancers, osteoporosis(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Osteoporosis.html), osteoarthritis, and cardiovascular diseases.

Antioxidants are nutrients that help to reduce the damage caused to the blood and other fluids present in the body by free radicals, which are produced when food is transformed into energy. Vitamin C benefits us by neutralizing the harmful effects of free radicals in our body. Its powerful antioxidant property helps in treating cancer by protecting healthy cells from free-radical damage and inhibiting the proliferation of cancerous cells.

Enable Healthy Cell Development:

Ascorbic acid is also a biological reducing agent, which enables healthy cell development and is responsible for the growth and repair of normal tissues in our body. Related benefits of Vitamin C include its support in the absorption of iron and calcium, maintenance of healthy blood vessels, prevention of blood clotting, and maintenance of bones and gums in the body.

Provide Protection from Infections:

Benefits of Vitamin C include its role in providing protection against viral and bacterial infections, and detoxifying the body. It also helps in reducing cold and helps in healing wounds.

Cure Brain Related Disorders:

Vitamin C also benefits humans by treating brain related disorders through controlling behavior and producing a claming effect on individuals. It can affect the brain’s response to an important neurotransmitter called dopamine. It also affects adrenaline in the adrenal glands and is required to synthesize carnitine, which is required to transfer energy to various cells.

History of Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a much talked about Vitamin. Although Vitamins were first discovered by a Warsaw-born biochemist Casimir Funk in 1911, Vitamin C was first isolated in 1928 by Charles Glen King and Albert Szent-Gy?rgyi. Vitamin C appears as white, to light yellow, crystals or powder and can aid in the treatment of diseases from the common cold to cancer. Vitamin C is called “ascorbic" because it can prevent and cure scurvy.