Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

Vitamin C is the most important water-soluble antioxidant — it takes part in protecting cells from oxidative stress, regenerates vitamin E and glutathione, is indispensable for collagen synthesis (hydroxylation of proline/lysine) and takes part in immune defence. Shortfalls often show themselves with exhaustion, delayed wound healing and greater susceptibility to infection — well before clinical scurvy.

How vitamin C acts in the body

Humans cannot make vitamin C themselves. It is absorbed in the gut via dedicated transporters and highly concentrated in tissues such as the adrenal glands, brain and white blood cells. Vitamin C donates electrons and thereby keeps enzymes running that stabilise collagen, make carnitine and convert dopamine into noradrenaline. It makes iron from plant foods easier to absorb in the gut and restores oxidised vitamin E.

Low vitamin C – what happens in the body?

When little vitamin C is available, cells make less stable collagen: small blood vessels become more fragile (bleeding gums, bruises) and wounds heal more slowly. Less carnitine is formed, which carries fatty acids into the mitochondria; this is linked to exhaustion. Immune cells lose their vitamin C quickly and work less effectively, and plant iron is absorbed less well. Infections, smoking and stress increase consumption.

High vitamin C – what happens in the body?

The body excretes excess vitamin C via the kidneys, and absorption in the gut falls at high amounts. Very high single doses can cause diarrhoea, and part is broken down to oxalate, which increases oxalate excretion in the urine.

The interpretation is given in your report.