Scurvy and vitamin C

Vitamin C is a water soluble known as ascorbic acid. It is a six carbon lactone. This vitamin is involved in collagen synthesis, acts as an antioxidant and aids iron absorption. Collagen is an important structural component of blood vessel, tendons, ligaments and bone.

Vitamin C also plays an important role in the synthesis of the neurotransmitter, norepinephrine.

Scurvy is a disease of vitamin C. The early symptoms are weakness, fatigue, listlessness and lassitude. The name given to set of symptoms that develop during a severe long-term shortage of vitamin C.

It can result in bleeding into the joints causing haemarthrosis: swelling and pain at the join, Trauma is one of the most frequent causes of haemarthrosis but in scurvy bleeding can occur in the absent of trauma.

Although scurvy is extremely rare, doctors still see an occasional case. Historically the source of scurvy was described by Hippocrates documented during the Crusades and recognized as a n occupational hazard among naval officers and pirates alike.

By late 1700s the British navy were aware that scurvy could be cured by eating oranges or lemons, even though vitamin C would not be isolated until the early 1930s.
Scurvy and vitamin C

Vitamin C: Function and Action

Vitamin C: Function and Action
Despite its uncomplicated structure, vitamin C apparently has a very complex functional role in the body. Although the respond of susceptible organisms to a deficiency and replenishment of vitamin C has been carefully observed and the biochemicals reactions in which vitamin C may participate have been identified, no unequivocal mechanisms of action have been established.

The only functional role of the vitamin to be categorically established is its ability to prevent and or cure scurvy. In this role, however, it must affect in some degree every bodily function because the vitamin is needed literally to hold the body’s cell together. Normal development of cartilage, bone, and dentine is dependent upon an adequate supply of vitamin C. Additionally, the basement membrane lining the capillaries, the intracellular cement holding together the endothelial cells, and the scar tissue responsible for wound healing all require the presence of vitamin C for their formation and maintenance.

Although ascorbate is a powerful reducing agent and may be the preferred reductant in certain oxidation-reduction reaction, its action appears to be nonspecific. There are suggestions that the function of ascorbate in the cells may be to balance or to set the redox potential of other cellular, water soluble substances. The oxidized form of vitamin, dehydroascorbate (DHA), is readily reduced by glutathione; therefore it is possible that the main biological role of DHA is to maintain some glutathione in its oxidized form in the tissue. Glutathione serves as a sulfhydryl buffer in animal cells, cycling between its reduced form and its oxidized form.
Vitamin C: Function and Action

Ascorbic Acid

Ascorbic Acid
Ascorbic acid or vitamin C is required for the formation of intercellular substance in the body, including dentine, cartilage, and the protein network of bone. Hence, it is important in tooth formation, the healing of broken bones, and the healing of the wounds. It may be important to oxidation-reduction reactions in the body and to the production of certain hormones.

Deficiency of vitamin C cause scurvy (spongy gums, loose teeth, swollen joints, hemorrhages in various tissues, etc.) and impaired healing of wounds. Orange juice is an excellent source of vitamin C. Tomato juice, if it has been processed properly, is a fair source of this vitamin. Green pepper, cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts are excellent to good sources of this vitamin C, while other vegetables such as peas, spinach, and lettuce are good to fair sources. Many fruits contain fair amounts of vitamin C.
Ascorbic Acid