Vitamin C deficiency (Ascorbic acid)
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| Vitamin C |
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
Physiology
Vitamin C exist in Natural Sources as L-ascorbic acid closely related to glucose. The major sources of Vitamin C are citrus fruits such as Orange, lemon, grapefruit and some vegetables like tomatoes and potatoes.
It is present in small amount in meat and milk. the vitamin is easily destroyed by heating so that boiled or pasteurized milk may lack Vitamin C. It is readily absorbed from the small intestine and is stored in many tissues most abundantly in adrenal cortex.
The physiological functions of vitamin C are due to its ability to carry out oxidation reduction reactions.
1. Vitamin C has been found to have antioxidant properties and can Scavange free radicals
2. Ascorbic acid is required for hydroxylation of Proline to form hydroxyproline which is an essential component of collagen.
3. Beside collagen, it is necessary for the ground substance of other mesenchymal structures such as osteoid, chondroitin sulfate, dentin and cement substance of vascular endothelium.
4. Vitamin C being a reducing substance has other functions such as
Hydroxylation of dopamine to know epinephrine.
Maintenance of Folic acid level by preventing oxidation of tetrahydrofolate.
Role in iron metabolism in its absorption storage and keeping it in reduced state.
Lesions or Injury in vitamin C deficiency
vitamin c deficiency-
Vitamin C deficiency in the food or as a conditioned deficiency results in Scurvy. the reasons and clinical manifestations of scurvy are seen more commonly at to peak as in early childhood and in the very aged.
1. Hemorrhagic diathesis : A marked tendency to bleeding in characteristic of scurvy. this may be due to deficiency of intercellular cement which holds together the cells of capillary endothelium.
There may be hemorrhages in the skin, mucous membrane, gums, muscles, joints and underneath the periosteum.
2. Skeletal reasons : these changes are more pronounced in growing children. the most prominent change is the deranged formation of osteoid matrix and not dearranged mineralisation. Growing tubular bones as well as flat bones are affected. The epiphysial end of growing long bones have cartilage cell in row which normally undergo provisional mineralisation. however due to deficiency of Vitamin C the next step of laying down of osteoid matrix by osteoblasts is poor and results in failure of reabsoption of cartilage. consequently mineralized cartilage under the widened and irregular epiphysial plates project as scorbutic rosary. The skeletal changes are further worsened due to hemorrhages and hematomas under the periosteum and bleeding into the joint spaces.
3. Delayed wound healing : there is delayed healing of wounds in Scurvy due to following :
Deranged collagen synthesis
Poor Preservation and maturation of fibroblasts
Localisation of infections in the wounds.
4. Anaemia
Anaemia is common in Scurvy it may be the result of hemorrhage, interference with formation of Folic acid or deranged iron metabolism. Accordingly anaemia is most often normocytic normochromic type, occasionally it may be megaloblastic or even iron deficiency type.
5. Lesions in teeth and gums
Scurvy may interfere with the development of dentin. The gums are soft and swollen may bleed radially and get infected commonly.
6. Skin rash
Hyperkeratotic and follicular rash may occur in scurvy.
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What food is highest in vitamin C?
Tomatoes
Potatoes
Orange
Lemon
Grapes
Meat and Milk(Less quantity)
Strawberry
Papaya
Broccoli
Snowpeas
Kiwi
Other questions -
What are the benefits of taking vitamin C?
How can I get more vitamin C?
What is vitamin C found in?
