The immune system is a sophisticated network of specialized organs, tissues, cells, proteins and compounds that evolved to protect us from a range of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, as well as cancer cells. More than half a century of research has shown that vitamin C plays a critical role in various aspects of the immune system, particularly immune cell function. Vitamin C has a number of properties that may contribute to its immune-modulating effects. It is an extremely powerful antioxidant because it “donates” electrons to free radicals and thus protects important biomoleculesoxidativem Stressprotects against damage caused by normal cell metabolism and environmental pollutants. How does vitamin C work in the body and especially on the immune system? We'll explain this and much more in a moment!
Vitamin C strengthens the immune system in various ways
WhichVitamin has an effectC on the immune system? Vitamin C contributes to immune defense by supporting various cellular functions of both the innate and adaptive immune systems.
Vitamin C supports the formation of interferons.
Interferons are produced in the body when the presence of pathogens is detected. They facilitate the ability of cells to initiate protective cellular defense measures.
Vitamin C promotes the function of phagocytes.
Phagocytes, like neutrophils and macrophages, are a type of white blood cell that eat pathogens and other bacteria. Once the invaders are detected, they are digested and enzymatically neutralized.
Vitamin C is mainly contained in white blood cells.
Lucocytes, neutrophils and monocytes have the ability to actively accumulate vitamin C. Some of these primary cells of the immune system have intracellular vitamin C levels up to 80 times higher than blood plasma concentrations.
Vitamin C supports the cellular immune response.
There are two main ways the body can respond to a pathogen: antibody immunity and cellular immunity. The cell-mediated response involves the activation of macrophages, natural killer cells and antigen-specific T lymphocytes, which attack anything perceived as a foreign body.
Vitamin C protects the skin from oxidative environmental stress.
Ascorbic acid supports the skin's barrier function against pathogens and promotes its oxidant scavenging activity.
Vitamin C increases white blood cell cytokine production.
Cytokines are messenger substances released by certain white blood cells that transmit information to other cells and thus promote the immune response.
Vitamin C increases the production of T lymphocytes.
These cells are essential for the cell-mediated immune response, and vitamin C contributes to their proliferation.
Vitamin C inhibits the apoptosis of various forms of T lymphocytes.T lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell. They are an essential part of the cell-mediated immune defense system. Vitamin C helps keep these important cells viable.
Vitamin C increases the production of B lymphocytes.
These white blood cells produce the antibodies as part of the antibody-mediated immune response. These antibodies are produced in response to the initial invasion of a pathogen or antigen.
Vitamin C inhibits the production of neuraminidase.
Neuraminidase is an enzyme in the influenza virus that is crucial for the virus to spread throughout the body. A 2007 study showed that ascorbic acid inhibits the activity of the NA enzyme.
Vitamin C promotes the formation of prostaglandins.
Prostaglandins are chemical compounds that act as tissue hormones and control a variety of physiological processes, including the regulation of T cell function.
Vitamin C leads to the formation of hydrogen peroxide in the tumor cells.
Laboratory studies show that high doses of ascorbic acid can specifically kill cancer cells, reduce tumor growth and thus support conventional cancer therapies.
A lesser-known property of vitamin C is that it reduces histamine levels.
Vitamin C acts as a natural antihistamine by reducing the amount of histamine the body produces in response to an allergen. It can help relieve mild symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, congestion, and watery eyes.
Does vitamin C help with colds?
Vitamin C deficiency leads to impaired immunity and increased susceptibility to infections. Infections, in turn, have a significant impact on vitamin C levels. People who have pneumonia usually have lower vitamin C levels. Vitamin C supplementation appears to be able to prevent and treat respiratory infections as well as other infections.
The prophylactic prevention of infections requires vitamin C intakeabout food, which covers the daily requirement (i.e. 100-200 mg/day) and thus optimizes cell and tissue levels. For example, a 200 ml glass of freshly squeezed orange juice contains 100 mg of vitamin C. In contrast, the treatment of established infections requires significantly higher doses of the vitamin to compensate for the increased inflammatory response and increased metabolic requirements.
Although vitamin C supplementation will not protect you from a cold, there is evidence that high doses of vitamin C can shorten the duration of cold symptoms by one to one and a half days in some people. However, other studies have not found the same results, and the risk of side effects is greater with high doses of vitamin C supplements, so you should consult your doctor or a nutritionist before taking them.
Reference:
Vitamin C and Immune Function– Anitra C. Carr and Silvia Maggini – Nutrients. 2017 Nov
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