Ascorbic+Acid


 * Ascorbic Acid** (C 6 H 8 O 6 ), not to be confused with citric acid, is one of the naturally occurring form of vitamin C (vitamer). Because of this property, it is used to cure the disease called scurvy. The name "Ascorbic Acid" is derived from a- (meaning "no") and // scorbutus (Scurvy). // Scurvy occurs when your body is Vitamin C deficient. Because it is derived from glucose, many animals are able to produce it, but humans require it as part of their nutrition. Other vertebrates lacking the ability to produce ascorbic acid include primates, guinea pigs, teleost fishes, bats, and birds, all of which require it as a dietary micro-nutrient. Since Ascorbic Acid has properties of antioxidants, it would make sense to use this acid to cure that decease. It is a white solid and dissolves in water, ethanol, and glycol. Ascorbic acid and its sodium, potassium, and calcium salts are commonly used as antioxidant food additives. These compounds are water-soluble and thus cannot protect fats from oxidation: For this purpose, the fat-soluble esters of ascorbic acid with long-chain fatty acids (ascorbyl palmitate or ascorbyl stearate) can be used as food antioxidants. Eighty percent of the world's supply of ascorbic acid is produced in China.Another fun fact is 80% of the world's supply of Ascorbic Acid comes from China.

It is important to inform your health care provider of certain health aspects before taking this medicine such as: -pregnant or trying to get pregnant -diabetes -low sodium diet -kidney stones -breast-feeding -anemia -certain allergic reactions to certain medicines


 * Artificial Sources vs. Natural Sources**

**Non-food uses of Ascorbic Acid**
This acid is easily oxidized, so it mainly used as a reductant in photographic developing solution and as a preservative. It can also be used as an antioxidant to increase fluorescent signal and chemically retard dye in the photo-bleaching process. It is also commonly used to remove dissolved metal stains. (Iron, fiberglass).

History
In 1747, ship surgeon for the British Royal Navy, James Lind, executed what is considered to be the first example of a controlled experiment. While at sea, Lind provided some members of the crew with lemon juice along with their normal rations, while others continued on only normal rations. While the results of the experiment showed that the lemons prevented the disease scurvy, it was nearly twenty years later before the British navy adopted lemon or lime juice as standard issue. For more history and information on ascorbic acid, as well as a 3-D structure of ascorbic acid, visit []

**Other food uses**
Ascorbic acid and its sodium, potassium, and calcium salts are commonly used as antioxidant food additives. In plastic manufacturing, ascorbic acid can be used to assemble molecular chains more quickly and with less waste than traditional synthesis methods.

**Myth**
Contrary to popular belief, ascorbic acid and vitamin C are not structurally identical. This acid is created in a laboratory and is an artificial, reduced form of natural vitamin C. If you want a truly natural vitamin C supplement, it can only be found in natural health supplements, whole food vitamins, and organic vitamin C.. Fruit is a good example of this.

There are many health benefits found in ascorbic acid. Here is a list to name a few
 * Contains Antioxidants
 * Good for Collagen formation
 * good for immune system
 * good for cellular health
 * Helps with colds, allergies, and asthma
 * Good for cataract prevention
 * helpful in iron absorption
 * helps acidity effects for UTIs
 * good for healthy gums
 * helpful in cholesterol

A Danger and health concern of Ascorbic Acid It seems hardly likely that taking high doses of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) can cause thickening or hardening of the arteries since so many people have taken high doses for a long time. Yet researchers from the University of California reported just that on March 2, 2000. People who took 500 mgs of ascorbic acid had a 2.5 times faster progression of thickening of the carotid artery (hardening of the arteries) than people who took no supplement.

= Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) =

Overview:
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning that your body doesn't store it. We have to get what we need from food, including citrus fruits, broccoli, and tomatoes. You need vitamin C for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of your body. It helps the body make collagen, an important protein used to make skin, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. Vitamin C is needed for healing wounds, and for repairing and maintaining bones and teeth. Vitamin C is an antioxidant, along with vitamin E, beta-carotene, and many other plant-based nutrients. Antioxidants block some of the damage caused by free radicals, substances that damage DNA. The build-up of free radicals over time may contribute to the aging process and the development of health conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and arthritis. It' s rare to be seriously deficient in vitamin C, although evidence suggests that many people may have low levels of vitamin C. Smoking cigarettes lowers the amount of vitamin C in the body, so smokers are at a higher risk of deficiency.

Read more: [|http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/vitamin-c-000339.htm#ixzz1uUGMCj3d]