All humans are born with a genetic defect. Our livers are missing a key enzyme, xl-gulono-§-lactone oxidase, which is required to synthesize ascorbic acid from glucose. The loss of this single gene prevents humans from making their own Vitamin C. The negative mutation of the so-called GULO gene has been well studied in both human and primate genomes. If this negative mutation could be corrected, most people would no longer need to supplement Vitamin C in their diets.
Most living things today make their own Vitamin C and do not have to obtain it through food sources. They do this by converting glucuronic acid (C6H10O7), derived from glucose (C6H12O6), into ascorbic acid (C6H8O6). The exceptions that cannot make their own Vitamin C are guinea pigs, fruit eating bats, the red-vented bulbul bird, and higher primates, such as gorillas and humans.
1 Vitamin C supports the production of interferons.
Interferons are produced when the presence of pathogens is detected.
They facilitate the ability of cells to initiate protective cellular defenses.
2 Vitamin C enhances the function of phagocytes.
Phagocytes are a kind of white blood cell that surrounds pathogens and other dangerous particles. Once the intruders are captured, they are digested and neutralized enzymatically.
3 Vitamin C is mainly found in white blood cells.
Some of these primary cells of the immune system have levels of vitamin C up to 80 times higher than the levels found in the plasma.
4 Vitamin C supports the cellular immune response.
There are 2 main ways that the body can respond to a pathogen: antibody immunity and cellular immunity. The cell-mediated response refers to the activation of macrophages, natural killer cells, and antigen-specific T-lymphocytes that attack anything that is perceived as a foreign agent.
5 Vitamin C enhances cytokine production by white blood cells.
Cytokines are communication proteins released from certain white blood cells and transmit information to other cells, thus promoting the immune response.
6 Vitamin C inhibits the apoptosis of various forms of T-lymphocytes.
T-lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell. They are an integral part of the cell-mediated immune defense system. Vitamin C helps to keep these important cells alive and viable.
7 Vitamin C enhances the production of nitrogen oxide by phagocytes.
Nitrogen oxide is produced in massive quantities in these cells, and is one of the factors that will kill captured pathogens.
8 Vitamin C enhances the production of T-lymphocytes.
These cells are essential for cell-mediated immune responses, and vitamin C helps to multiply in number.
9 Vitamin C increases the production of B lymphocytes.
These white blood cells produce the antibodies as part of the antibody-mediated immune response. These antibodies are formed in response to the initial introduction of an invading pathogen or antigen.
10 Vitamin C inhibits the production of neuraminidase.
Some pathogenic viruses and bacteria create neuraminidase, an enzyme that keeps them from being trapped in the mucus, one of the natural lines of body defense. By inhibiting neuraminidase, vitamin C helps to optimize this defense mechanism of the body.
11 Vitamin C supports the production and activity of antibodies.
Good antibody function is important for a healthy immune system.
12 Vitamin C supports the activity of natural killer cells.
Natural killer cells are small lymphocytes that can attack directly cells, such as cancer cells, and kill them
13 Vitamin C favors the formation of prostaglandins.
Prostaglandins are hormones - compounds that control a variety of physiological processes, including regulation of T-cell function.
14 Vitamin C supports circular GMP levels in lymphocytes.
Circular GMP plays a leading role in regulating various physiological responses, including immune responses. Circular GMP is important for normal reproduction and differentiation (specificity for specific purposes) of cells. Circular GMP also controls the action of many hormones, and appears to mediate relaxation of smooth muscle.