The human body cannot exist normally without biologically active substances, which we call vitamins. Their role in metabolic processes is simply irreplaceable. They act as accelerators of many biochemical reactions, without which the growth and development of the body is simply impossible to imagine. According to the ability of vitamins to dissolve in water or fats, they are divided into water-soluble and fat-soluble. Among water-soluble vitamins, the vitamins of group C are most famous.
What is vitamin C?
In nature, vitamin C is represented by ascorbic acid, as well as its derivatives: dehydroascorbic acid and ascorbigen. The first derivative is formed due to the reduction of ascorbic acid with compounds containing sulfhydryl bonds. Ascorbigen is formed by attaching amino acid or protein bases to ascorbic acid. All these modifications of vitamin C are readily soluble in water and have biological activity.
It is produced mainly in plants from glucose, most of which is represented by ascorbigen, since it is less susceptible to oxidative processes. Some animals are also able to independently provide themselves with this vitamin, but the human body must receive it from the outside. Accordingly, the natural sources of this vitamin will be plant foods and some animal products, such as liver and kidneys, dairy products.
Dosage Forms
The body's needs for ascorbic acid significantly more than in other vitamins, which is about 0.1 g per day. It is not always possible to replenish such a norm only with the usual foods that we are used to eating. In order to prevent vitamin deficiency, use drugs containing ascorbic acid in their composition. It can be multivitamin complexes or single drugs. One-component drugs containing group C vitamins are available in various dosage forms. It can be a powder in bags, which before use is dissolved in warm water. One such bag costs about 12 rubles.
There is liquid vitamin C in ampoules, which is widely used by cosmetologists to care for face, neck and décolleté. It makes wonderful masks that reduce pigmentation, narrow pores, and they contribute to the production of collagen fibers. Vitamin C is involved in the metabolic processes of skin cells, which provides a greater saturation of them with oxygen. After such procedures, the skin becomes radiant.
Vitamin C in ampoules can be added to shampoo for washing hair or making masks. After regular use, the hair structure is restored, they become healthy and strong. Liquid vitamin C, the price of which for a package of ten ampoules is 38 rubles, can be bought at specialized pharmacies. Each ampoule of such a vitamin contains 2 ml of a 5% solution of ascorbic acid.
Yet the most common dosage form is vitamin C tablets. It can be 500 mg chewable tablets taken after meals.
Another type of pill is Vitamin C Effervescent. On the Russian pharmaceutical market, the drug is presented by Multivita under the trade name Multivita Vitamin C 1000 mg and Multivita Vitamin C 250 mg. As you can see, effervescent tablets come in two dosages of 250 mg and 1000 mg. The greatest demand in pharmacies is vitamin C 1000 mg. The dosage is selected based on its daily needs in the human body. Vitamin C, the price of which is about 200 rubles, is sold in plastic tubes of 20 tablets.
What is Vitamin C for?
The action of vitamin C on the body is diverse, without its participation the work of many organs and systems is disrupted.
The drug "Vitamin C effervescent" (1000 mg) has an effect on lipid metabolism, protein and carbohydrate metabolism. So, with his participation, procollagen and collagen molecules are synthesized, without which connective tissue cannot function normally. It is collagen substance that consists of joint ligaments, skin integuments, tendon fibers, cartilage, dental and bone tissue, and it is also part of the walls of blood vessels. It allows you to quickly regenerate damaged tissue of the skin and bones.
Vitamin C (1000 mg) increases the production of antitoxins, which are responsible for strengthening immunity, and increases the antiplatelet properties of blood platelets. Under the action of acetylsalicylic acid, the formation of red blood cells and leukocytes occurs, the action of phagocytic cells increases, as well as the production of special interferon proteins that have antiviral activity. In addition, such proteins do not allow cells to mutate, which prevents the development of neoplasms. With reduced immunity, the need for the body to spend more ascorbic acid increases.
Being in the cells of tissues of various organs, it actively regulates metabolic processes in them. With his participation, the level of glucose in the blood plasma is reduced due to its conversion to glycogen, and cholesterol indicators are also maintained at the right level. So, vitamin C contributes to the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver cells, from which bile acids are subsequently produced , improves the secretion of bile and the work of the pancreas, responsible for external secretion.
In addition, Vitamin C “Multivita 1000 mg” has antioxidant properties that inhibit oxidative reactions in the body by neutralizing very active charged particles. This feature prevents the aging of cells and the development of various diseases.
Due to the action of ascorbic acid, a change in the lumen of small blood vessels occurs, which leads to a decrease in blood pressure, the heart muscle begins to contract more often, and the penetration of substances through the vascular walls decreases.
Vitamin C is involved in the synthesis of adrenal hormones, as well as other hormones of the steroid structure, therefore, in stressful situations, the need for this vitamin increases.
In brain cells, Vitamin C Effervescent 1000 mg regulates the activity of neurotransmitters that transmit nerve impulses. With his participation, the tryptophan mediator transforms into serotonin, and then its hydroxylation, and the tyrosine conductor into adrenoline and dopamine mediators.
Participates in processes in which phenylalanine, norepinephrine, histamine, L-carnitine, folic acid are involved, enhances the absorption of iron unbound with proteins. With a sufficient concentration of vitamin C, the body's consumption of thiamine, riboflavin, folic acid, tocopherol, retinol, pantothenic acid is reduced.
Signs of Vitamin C Lack
As is already known, ascorbic acid is not produced by the human body, and the reserves of this substance in the body are not formed, any excess of it is excreted by the urinary system in the urine. Vitamin C should always be supplied with food, vitamin supplements and drugs so that its content is maintained at a sufficient level in the tissues.
Ascorbic acid deficiency occurs due to reduced intake of food into the body. There are people who have immunity to this substance. This is facilitated by endogenous factors, such as impaired absorption of vitamin acid due to diseases of the digestive system.
Many people simply do not understand why they are beginning to get tired more, their productivity is decreasing. Such people become more sensitive to cold weather, their immunity decreases, and diseases associated with hypothermia, such as rhinitis, nasopharyngeal inflammation, and acute viral infections, are more common. And the solution to their problems, obviously, lies in the lack of vitamin C, which is important for the body.
Many do not know that heat-treated vegetables and fruits lose a significant part of this vitamin due to its decomposition when heated. Therefore, only fresh vegetable and fruit products can make up for the shortage of this substance. You can also use vitamin C in tablets, ampoules, in powder form.
Deficiency of ascorbic acid in the body leads to such an unpleasant disease as scurvy, which is accompanied by bleeding gums, and sometimes tooth loss, anemia, and joint inflammation. All these symptoms are associated with a violation of collagen synthesis. The fibers of this substance are contained in the vascular walls, and its deficiency leads to a thinning of the capillary membrane and other conductive elements of the circulatory system. The skin can also bleed, in which there will also be a lack of collagen.
In childhood, a lack of vitamin C is very dangerous, since insufficient production of collagen fibers leads to the underdevelopment of cartilage and the skeleton as a whole. Such children have rickets.
Anemia with ascorbic acid hypovitaminosis is associated with impaired absorption of vitamin B9 and iron ions from the intestinal contents.
Indications for use
Effervescent Vitamin C is prescribed for preventive purposes to eliminate its shortage in colds, accompanied by fever, pregnant and lactating women, adolescents, people engaged in mental and physical labor, smokers and alcohol abusers. Persons under stress, as well as taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, antibacterial or hormonal drugs, need to take care of replenishing vitamin C in the body.
For the treatment of ascorbic acid deficiency in the body, the preparation “Vitamin C effervescent” (1000 mg) is used. This tool is prescribed for the complex treatment of asthenic conditions, bleeding, scurvy, poisoning of the body, hepatitis, long non-healing wounds, violations of the integrity of bone tissue, iron deficiency anemia.
Dosage and administration
For the treatment of the above diseases, vitamin C (1000 mg) is used, instructions for the use of this drug are attached to the pack. It is important to know that 1000 mg is a daily therapeutic dosage. It is taken after eating. For this, an effervescent tablet must be dissolved in 200 ml of water, which equals one glass. Chewing or resorption, and especially swallowing tablets, is not allowed.
For prophylactic purposes, vitamin C hypovitaminosis uses a lower dosage of 250 mg. Take such tablets once or twice a day, also dissolving in warm water.
Benefits of Effervescent Tablets
Effervescent tablets have several advantages compared to other dosage forms containing vitamin C. Customer reviews indicate the convenience of taking such a drug. This form reduces the effect of vitamin on tooth enamel and the gastrointestinal tract. When the tablet is dissolved in water, carbon dioxide is released, which ensures maximum bioavailability of ascorbic acid in the body.
What is the excess vitamin C harmful?
Vitamin C is not as safe as it seems at first glance. Instructions for use of this product contain information on possible side effects in case of exceeding the daily dose.
If Vitamin C is taken for a long time in an overestimated dose, a condition of hypervitaminosis occurs, accompanied by nausea, indigestion, bloating, heartburn, irritation of the gastric mucosa, spasmodic pain in the abdominal cavity, frequent urination, formation of kidney stones, decreased blood glucose, nervousness, sleep disturbances.
The treatment of such overdoses is the elimination of symptoms, elimination of excess vitamin C in the urine with the help of diuretic drugs. You should no longer take the drug and consult a doctor immediately.
When to Avoid Vitamin C
Vitamin C is contraindicated for some people. Reviews of patients about this drug indicate an increased sensitivity to ascorbic acid.
Vitamin C at a dosage of 1000 mg is contraindicated in children under the age of eighteen, pregnant and lactating women. Such a dose of vitamin is not suitable for people suffering from diabetes mellitus, nephrolithiasis and other kidney diseases, genetic pathologies associated with impaired synthesis of the chain of polypeptides that make up the hemoglobin subunits, excessive accumulation of iron in tissues and organs. Disruption of glycine metabolism in the body, deposition of oxalic acid salts in the kidneys and other organs are the reason for the abolition of vitamin C.
Interaction with other medicines
Ascorbic acid is an active substance, therefore, its combination with other drugs can affect the therapeutic effect of certain components of the drugs taken, or the effect of the acid itself changes.
Using Vitamin C (1000 mg per day) together with substances of the benzylpenicillin and tetracycline series, you increase their level in blood plasma. This substance has the ability to enhance the action of the active substances that make up birth control pills, and they, in turn, reduce the intake of vitamin A in the blood.
With a combination of ascorbic and acetylsalicylic acid, the process of entering vitamin C from the intestines into the bloodstream is disrupted, and it is excreted by the kidneys without absorption. Vitamin C, in turn, decreases urinary excretion of aspirin.
The intake of iron-containing preparations with ascorbic acid leads to better absorption of iron ions, since the vitamin helps to restore ferric iron to ferrous. But taking deferoxamine in combination with vitamin C, on the contrary, reduces the intake of iron in the systemic circulation.
Ethyl alcohol, juice from fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as drinks with a high alkaline ion content reduce vitamin absorption.
The simultaneous combination of ascorbic acid with representatives of salicylates, sulfonamides is undesirable, as this leads to the excretion of salts in the urine.
Vitamin C worsens the excretion of alkaline drugs, such as alkaloids, reduces the therapeutic effect of heparins and other drugs that cause blood coagulation, as well as antipsychotics and mexiletins.
The amount of vitamin C is significantly reduced as a result of taking calcium chloride, salts of salicylic acid, corticosteroids, barbiturates and primidones.
When interacting with vitamin C, the ability of chronotropic drugs, such as isoprenaline, atropine, to increase the heart rate decreases.