The diellema of the Versatile Antioxidant Vitamin

We all know that if an apple is sliced into half turns brown, an iron nail left outside simply rusts itself, etc you get the picture. This process is called oxidation. But did you know why if a sliced apple is dipped in a lemon juice the rate at which the apple turns brown is slowed? Well, it's the vitamin C in the lemon juice that slows the rate of oxidative damage.

Vitamin C, ever since its discovery, over 65 years ago, has been a great recourse into our daily life. It's known as the key immune system nutrient and a potent free-radical fighter. It plays a vital role in collagen formation and other life sustaining functions. Its duty nutrient has been proved to be useful to prevent illnesses, from the common cold which belongs to everyday ailments to redoubtable devastating diseases such as cancer.

As a matter of fact, we depend on asorbic acid (scientifically means "whitout scurvy") for many apsects of our biochemical functionning. The water soluble vitamin c. Yet, as human, we belong to this handful of animals species that can not produce their own supply of vitamin c. There few other animals that can only obtain this vital nutrient through food or just our daily diet.

What does vitamin c?
It enhances our body resistance from minor to major diseases, including infections and certains types of cancer. Vitamin c protects and strenghtens our immune system by stimulating the activity of anti-bodies and immune system cells such as phagocytes and neutrophilis.

It also reduces, as an antioxidant, the activity of free radicals. Very often vitamin c is administrated intravenously as part of cancer treatment, and the reason why, is simply that Free radicals are by producs of normal metabolism which can damage cells and very often set the stage for aging, denegration and even cancer.

It may help to protect our central nervous system from some damages. It also helps to prevent free radical damage in the lungs. Particularly, free radicals are unpaired electron, thus, they are highly reactive and destructive at the same time. So they do destroy everything that get in their way, even though they are part of the the body chemistry, they are very often implicated in so many diseases.

Vitamin C, as an antioxidant, neutrolizing free radicals is primary. We said it above, the ascorbic acid is water-soluble, so it can and will work inside and outside the cells to fight free radical damage. On the other side it's an excellent source of elctrons; it can donate electrons to free radiclas such hydroxyl and superoxide radicals and quench their reactivity.

It contributes to the antioxidant activity in the lipids. Also, the versatile vitamin C works along whit glutathione peroxidase (this is a major free radical fighting enzyme) in order to revitalize vitamin E, another fat-soluble antioxidant.

However, we know life requieres balance. Optimal health isn't an exception. It requires a balance between free radical generation and antioxidant protection. Yet another function of Vitamin C is to get and quench these free radicals before they create to much damage.

Nevertheless, there is a dilemma that needs to be highlighted. Some research show that vitamin c, in some cases, acts as a pro-oxidant. That means, vitamin c, under certain conditions may act in an opposite manner to its inteded purpose. Reason why, the concern among people using vitamin c in their diet is raising high.

You will find more interesting articles related to the subject and overall health care and overall health.