| Vitamin
C is widely distributed in the plant and animal kingdom.The
best sources in nature are citrus fruits. The vitamin in nature
is always conjugated with water soluble proteins or polypeptides
and generally occurs in conjunction with related compounds,
the bioflavonoids. The conjugated (polypeptide-bound) form of
vitamin C is approximately 10 times more effective than synthetic
vitamin C.
Studies
have shown that L-Ascorbic Acid Polypeptide on oral administration
gives rise to plasma levels for approximately 24 hours while
synthetic ascorbic acid is almost totally excreted after 6 to
8 hours.
Vitamin
C plays an important part in many metabolic processes and must
be ingested daily since it is not produced by the body. Vitamin
C is necessary for the biosynthesis of hydroxyproline, a precursor
of collagen, osteoid and dentin. It is required for the immune
system and for wound healing and strengthens the capillary blood
vessels thus preventing their fragility and subcutaneous bleeding.
Vitamin
C is a strong antioxidant and reducing agent. On topical application
and under suitable conditions, it can penetrate into the deeper
layers of the epidermis where the melanocyte cells are located.
These cells produce the protective brown pigment, melanin, on
exposure to actinic (U.V.) light. L-Ascorbic acid, if present
in sufficent concentration, reduces melanin to a colorless substance,
inhibiting the formation of freckles, excessive darkening of
the skin, "age spots" and possible, precancerous lesions such
as melanomas.
L-Ascorbic
acid is one of the protective substances which are involved
in the capturing or neutralizing of free radicals formed upon
exposure to U.V. radiation. |