The Role of Vitamin C in human body and its effect on treatment of SARS CoV 2

Importance of Vitamin C:

Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid or Ascorbate is a water soluble vitamin which is proved to act as an anti oxidant, anti inflammatory and immunity enhancer in human body. The role of Vitamin C is linked to reduction of severity of COVID -19 due to its immunity boosting nature and consequently reducing the Cytokine Storm if occurs.

Vitamin C rich foods

Novel Corona Virus:

SARS CoV 2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2) is an acronym adopted by International Community on Taxonomy of Viruses on 11.02.2020. The name is given as such because it is a genetic cousin of MERS CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus) which was outbroken in 2002.

In December 2019  an idiosyncratic Pneumonia was reported to the WHO, China Country Office. The causative viruses were never appeared before so they are considered as novel Corona Virus. These viruses were first appeared in Wuhan city, in the Hubei province of China. It is a zoonotic disease as it begins in animals and transmits from animals to people.

Corona virus 

Properties of Vitamin C:

It is destroyed on exposure to light, heat, air, and also metal. During cooking much of it is destroyed. Iron and Copper act as catalysts while cooking in these vessels much of it destroyed. Vitamin C is also destroyed while cutting vegetables into fine pieces and cleaning of cut vegetables. It helps in cholesterol metabolism.

Sources of Vitamin C:     Citrus fruits such as lemon, Oranges, Kiwi, Amla, Spinach,Tomato, Broccoli  etc.                                                                            

                                                                   

Function of Vitamin C:                    

Collagen is a protein and acts as a cementing material between cells. It is formed with the help of Vitamin C. Vitamin C also helpful in bone formation. It also helps in preventing deposition of cholesterol on the walls of the arteries so it prevents heart related diseases. Vitamin C is known for building immunity inside the body as it strengthen natural body defense system so it fights against infection. More iron from plant sources is being absorbed by the presence of Vitamin C. It also fasten the process of wound healing in the body. It has a specific quality to keep gums healthy and prevents from pyorrhea disease.           

Deficiency of Vitamin C:

Pyorrhea: Swelling and bleeding from gums with foul smell.

Scurvy: Excessive bleeding with slight injury. In it large hemorrhages  are found under                       skin.

Deficiency of Vitamin C causes reduced immunity so infections like common cold, viral fever, flu attack are seen frequently.

Weight loss, joint pain, Gastrointestinal discomfort may also be seen.

                

Normal daily Requirements: 20 MG by an adult.

For COVID patients it can go upto 1000 MG Once daily or twice daily.

Vitamin C and its relation with COVID treatment:

We all know, nutrition affects the functioning of whole body processes and also it is obvious that all the functions of body require enzymes, Vitamins & minerals. With the presence of minerals enzymes work better. White blood cells or leukocytes are the immunity soldiers of our body. Vitamin C is vital for the good health of leukocytes. It is not proved of direct relation of Vitamin C with the cure of COVID, but progress of COVID inside body is definitely related to immunity of the person. In this regard, Vitamin C is helpful in enhancing immunity of the body so indirectly reducing the impact of Corona Virus inside the body. Further, Vitamin C is also helpful in reducing the impact of Cytokine Storm inside body (particularly lungs).

Cytokine Storm:

Most of the body cells produce cytokine which is a glycoprotein. Cytokines are helpful in nature as it improves immunity of the body. It also improves the response mechanism of the body against any inflammation. Despite of the beneficial effect of Cytokines, people are dying because of this. 

Then, where is the problem why people are dying?

In some COVID patients, it has been observed that huge amount of Cytokines are produced and induce heavy  chemical reactions inside body. This phenomenon of huge production of Cytokines inside body cells is known as Cytokine Storm. In this phase, Cytokines kill own body cells rapidly.

Why it does so?

This is because, body cells detect over produced cytokines as foreign substances; and thus to protect the other body cells, the cells being infected by cytokines kill itself. Hence, within a very short span of time huge amount of cells kill itself. This phenomenon mainly occur inside lungs and spread to other organs also. Once a cytokine Storm destroys lung cells oxygen fails to reach every part of the body. It leads to risk of heart attack, thrombosis or blood clotting.

Thus, it is where Vitamin C and other nutrition supplements play their role to reduce the impact of Cytokine Storm. 

Conclusion:

Vitamin C is a vital supplement for the normal functioning of the body. It has multi-dimensional functions in the body and also direct treatment link of this has not been established with that of the deadly SARS CoV 2; however, it is effective in reducing the inflammation and helps in improving the immunity or the response mechanism of the body. 

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Writer is an expert in home science subjects

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