By Beverleigh H Piepers
Vitamin C or ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that cannot be stored in the human body. And because it can never be stored, daily doses of vitamin C from the foods you eat is necessary. Vitamin C is a very important vitamin for many bodily functions and processes. It helps:
* in the growth and repair of tissues
* in the production of collagen... a protein needed for making healthy skin, tendons, cartilages and ligaments
* in wound healing, and
* maintenance of bone health
Aside from being an essential vitamin, vitamin C is also an important antioxidant. Antioxidants prevent free radicals from causing harm to the integrity of your individual cells.
Do you know vitamin C can also aid you in the management of Type 2 diabetes?
According to an article published by the Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients in December 2002, most diabetics have lower vitamin C levels circulating in their blood. This may be as a result of the increased urinary output by diabetics (vitamin C is water-soluble). However, by normalizing the levels of vitamin C with the help of supplementation, numerous health benefits may be observed:
1. Control blood sugar: According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, vitamin C may aid a diabetic to lower his blood sugar level. With improved blood sugar levels, acute and chronic complications associated with Type 2 diabetes can be prevented.
2. Control in the lipid level in diabetics: A study published by the Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, ascorbic acid supplementation may aid diabetics in the prevention of increased lipid levels in the blood, a common laboratory finding observed in Type 2 diabetics. However, the mechanism behind how ascorbic acid supplementation improves lipid levels is still unknown. Further studies are necessary to know the physiology that explains this finding.
3. Prevention of collagen abnormalities: Collagen abnormalities may be prevented with the supplementation of vitamin C according to a study published by Diabetes in March 1991. Diabetics tend to have a lower vitamin C level in their body and this deficiency may play an important role in the development of collagen problems. Researchers of this study explained that an increased blood sugar concentration leads to the decreased uptake of ascorbic acid by fibroblasts, the cells that form collagen tissue. However, more clinical trials are needed to establish this fact.
4. Improvement in leukocyte activity: Leukocytes or white blood cells are considered to be the defenders of the body. They eliminate disease, stopping microorganisms from causing problems and diseases. In diabetics, decreased vitamin C levels result in the depression of leukocyte activity; vitamin supplementation improves the activity of these important blood cells, thereby increasing the immunity of anyone with Type 2 diabetes.
Vitamin C or ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that cannot be stored in the human body. And because it can never be stored, daily doses of vitamin C from the foods you eat is necessary. Vitamin C is a very important vitamin for many bodily functions and processes. It helps:
* in the growth and repair of tissues
* in the production of collagen... a protein needed for making healthy skin, tendons, cartilages and ligaments
* in wound healing, and
* maintenance of bone health
Aside from being an essential vitamin, vitamin C is also an important antioxidant. Antioxidants prevent free radicals from causing harm to the integrity of your individual cells.
Do you know vitamin C can also aid you in the management of Type 2 diabetes?
According to an article published by the Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients in December 2002, most diabetics have lower vitamin C levels circulating in their blood. This may be as a result of the increased urinary output by diabetics (vitamin C is water-soluble). However, by normalizing the levels of vitamin C with the help of supplementation, numerous health benefits may be observed:
1. Control blood sugar: According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, vitamin C may aid a diabetic to lower his blood sugar level. With improved blood sugar levels, acute and chronic complications associated with Type 2 diabetes can be prevented.
2. Control in the lipid level in diabetics: A study published by the Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, ascorbic acid supplementation may aid diabetics in the prevention of increased lipid levels in the blood, a common laboratory finding observed in Type 2 diabetics. However, the mechanism behind how ascorbic acid supplementation improves lipid levels is still unknown. Further studies are necessary to know the physiology that explains this finding.
3. Prevention of collagen abnormalities: Collagen abnormalities may be prevented with the supplementation of vitamin C according to a study published by Diabetes in March 1991. Diabetics tend to have a lower vitamin C level in their body and this deficiency may play an important role in the development of collagen problems. Researchers of this study explained that an increased blood sugar concentration leads to the decreased uptake of ascorbic acid by fibroblasts, the cells that form collagen tissue. However, more clinical trials are needed to establish this fact.
4. Improvement in leukocyte activity: Leukocytes or white blood cells are considered to be the defenders of the body. They eliminate disease, stopping microorganisms from causing problems and diseases. In diabetics, decreased vitamin C levels result in the depression of leukocyte activity; vitamin supplementation improves the activity of these important blood cells, thereby increasing the immunity of anyone with Type 2 diabetes.
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