Functions Of Vitamin C

Functions Of Vitamin C

Question 1. Write the sources of vitamin A.
Answer.

Dietary Soruces

• Animal sources – liver, kidney, egg yolk, milk, cheese, butter and cod liver oil
• Vegetable sources – carotenes – carrots, spinach, pumpkins, mango and papaya
  • Foods provide vitamin A either in the preformed state (directly as retinol or retinyl esters of fatty acids ) from animal sources such as milk, butter, egg and fish.
  • Or its precursor carotenoids, especially carotene, derived from leafy vegetables and yellow and orange-coloured fruits and vegetables.

Vitamin C Deficiency Symptoms and Its Impact on Health

Benefits of Vitamin C for Skin Health and Collagen Formation

Question 2. Functions of vitamin C.
Answer.

Functions

• Vitamin C is required as a coenzyme in hydroxylation of proline and lysine Hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine are important constituents of collagen Thus vitamin C is required for collagen synthesis
• Vitamin C is required for bone formation
• Vitamin C enhances iron absorption by keeping it in the reduced ferrous
• Vitamin C is essential for the hydroxylation of tryptophan to hydroxy tryptophan in the synthesis of serotonin
• Vitamin C is required for the oxidation of P hydroxy phenyl pyruvate to homogentisic acid in tyrosine metabolism
• Vitamin C is required for the reduction of dihydrofolate (FH2) to tetrahydrofolate (FH4). Tetrahydrofolate (FH4) is the active form of folic acid

Functions of Vitamin C and Its Benefits

• Vitamin C is required for the synthesis of steroid hormones
• Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant. It spares vitamin A and vitamin E from oxidation
• Vitamin C enhances the synthesis of immunoglobulins
• Vitamin C increases the phagocytic activity of leucocytes
• Vitamin C is required for the formation of mucopolysaccharides
• Vitamin C is required for the functional activity of osteoblasts and fibroblasts
• Vitamin C is required for the formation of ferritin
• Vitamin C is required for the electron transport chain

Role of Vitamin C in Immune Health and Skin Repair

• Vitamin C activates the enzyme arginase and inhibits the enzymes urease and amylase
• Vitamin C is required as a coenzyme for the conversion of dopamine to norepinephrine
• Vitamin C is required for the formation of carnitine
• Vitamin C is required for the alpha oxidation of fatty acids
• Vitamin C plays a role in reduction of blood cholesterol level
• Vitamin C plays an important role in the reaction of the body to stress