Vitamin-C A Immune System Advantage - By Christine L. Foutch
Dr. Christine Foutch is a holistic physician practicing in Rock Island, IL. The practice of holistic medicine integrates conventional and alternative therapies to prevent disease, treat disease, and most importantly promote optimal health.
Humans Require Vitamin C
Inadequate intake is associated with excessive symptoms, reflecting the diverse functions attributed to Vitamin C.
Vitamin C also known as Ascorbic Acid
It is involved in all phases of wound healing, including the inflammatory phase. Vitamin C is required for white blood cell death and clearance.
Discovered more than 80 years ago
The function of Vitamin C in the immune system has been the subject of much research and controversy.
Vitamin C in Immune Cells
Vitamin C is kept at high levels in immune cells; leukocytes accumulate the vitamin to high intracellular concentrations. Vitamin C affects many aspects of the immune response.
The Human Body
Strives to maintain homeostasis, or preferably balanced circulating plasma levels of Vitamin C.
Intra-cellular Levels
Respond to plasma Vitamin C availability. Inadequate Levels during severe stress can result in low plasma Vitamin C status.
After Stressful Episodes
The circulating plasma and therefore tissue levels of Vitamin C, diminish.
Vitamin C Relates to Immune Defense
Supporting the various cellular functions of both the innate and adaptive immune systems.
