Vitamins are the most essential organic compounds that does not produced in human body but the required amount are important for the proper functioning of the body systems. Vitamins consist of two words “vita” means “life” and “amins” means “necessary”. So vitamins can be defined as the organic compounds which are required and necessary to lead a healthy life style.

Vitamin C DATS (Digestion, Absorption, Transportation And Storage)

DATS (DIGESTION, ABSORPTION, TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE) OF VITAMIN-C

Vitamins are classified into two types:

Fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)

Water soluble vitamins (B, C)

Fat soluble vitamins are that type of vitamins which are only soluble in fats and are in soluble in water. Fat soluble vitamins include A, D, E and K. the deficiencies of these vitamins are very rare as these vitamins does not easily excrete out of the body and store these vitamins. All fat soluble vitamins are considered as functionally different but are common in structure. the amount of fats in human body effects the absorption of fat soluble vitamins i.e. if the concentration of fats is less than 10-15 % than these vitamins does not absorb in human body.

Water Soluble Vitamins are that type of vitamins that can be easily soluble in water and does not retain inhuman body except vitamin B12. The deficiencies of these vitamins are rapid and causes no toxicity because these vitamins Water can easily get out of the body through urine. These vitamins include B complex and C vitamins. All water soluble Vitamins are structurally different but mostly have a common same function i-e it acts as some co-enzymes that assist in body chemical reactions.

VITAMIN-C (ASCORBIC ACID):

Human beings are the mammals that are not able to synthesized ascorbic acid. This is because humans lack the last enzyme gulono lactone oxidase which are responsible for Vitamin C production. Vitamin C is a six carbon compound. This vitamin was first time developed when the problem referred to as scurvy was has been prevailing for centuries. The British sailors who often died from scurvy on sea voyages. Szent-Gyorgyi discovered vitamin and Haworth determined its structure.

Sources:

The best sources of vitamin C are:

sources

Amount of Vitamin C in 100 grams

Asparagus

5.6mg

Orange juice

50mg

oranges

53.2mg

broccoli

89mcg

Green pepper

80.4mg

lemons

53mg

Cantaloupe, citrus fruits, cauliflower, papaya, Brussels sprouts, grapes, kale, strawberries are also the best sources of Vitamin C.

Supplements supply Vitamin C as a free Ascorbic Acid (calcium ascorbate, sodium ascorbate and ascorbyl ascorbate.

RDA (recommended dietary allowances):

The recommended dietary allowances of vitamin C are different for the people at different life stages. RDA of vitamin C for Men, Women and Children are:

Gender

RDA

Men

60mg

Women

60mg

Children

45mg

 

Functions of vitamin C in Human body:

Vitamin C performs most of the important functions in human body these are:

It helps in wound healing and repairing.

Protect body from scurvy.

It is critical for immune system.

Acts as an anti-oxidant and helps in maintenance of cholesterols.

Helps in iron absorption.

Formation of connective tissues like collagen.

DATS (digestion, absorption, transportation and storage) of vitamin C:

Vitamin C does not require digestion prior to its absorption in intestinal cells.

Absorption of ascorbate occurs throughout the small intestine. For its absorption ascorbate first oxidized to Dehydro ascorbate by removing its two electrons and two protons. This Dehydro ascorbate absorbed by using sodium dependent transporters. In addition to absorption sodium ascorbate may also compete with GLUT transporters and especially GLUT1 and GLUT3 transporters which are responsible for the transportation of glucose into the blood. This is the reason that large amount of glucose may also diminished the absorption of vitamin C in the blood. Anion channel in some cells may also mediate vitamin C absorption faster. Yet after absorption into the blood capillaries it is transported towards the tissue cells where it is immediately reduced back into ascorbic acid. The reducing agents are dehydro ascorbate reductase, glutathione and NADPH. Unabsorbed vitamin C may be metabolized by intestinal flora.

After absorption now the vitamin C are transported towards different body tissues. For the transportation of vitamin C at least two transporters are present i-e SVCT1 and SVCT2 (sodium ascorbate co transporters) for vitamin uptake into most of the organs. SVCT1 is found in most epithelial tissues and are appear to have higher capacity for vitamin C transportation than SVCT2.

As vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin so it does not store in body. Its regular consumption through diet are required so that the person will not feel any deficiency. The highest amount of it are present in adrenal and pituitary gland,. Intermediate amount are found in liver, kidney, spleen, heart, lungs, pancrease and leucocytes. While the lowest amount are found in red blood cells.

Interaction of Vitamin C with other nutrients:

The interaction of vitamin C are mainly found with two minerals Iron and Copper.

Vitamin C not only effects the absorption of non heme iron in human body but also effects its distribution. As the amount of vitamin found to assist the rapid absorption of non heme iron in human body.

However, in response to copper the highest concentration of vitamin C decreases the serum copper concentration.

Toxicity:

Daily intake of up to 2 g of vitamin C does not have any adverse effect in human body. But above this dose can may cause adverse effect. The adverse effect of this vitamin include gastrointestinal problems characterizes by abdominal pain and diarrhea. The unabsorbed vitamin C in the intestinal tract are metabolized by the intestinal bacteria within the colon and this is what it promotes diarrhea. Based on this the tolerable upper limit for vitamin C are 2g per day.

Scurvy (disease caused by Vitamin C deficiency):

Scurvy is the disease caused by vitamin C deficiency in diet for at least 3 months. Scurvy is characterized by bleeding gums, loosened teeth, sores formation and old wounds may reopen. Scurvy may also lead to death if not treated earlier. It can be treated by having the proper amount of vitamin C containing foods like fruits and vegetables.