Vitamin C and Immunity

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1 Vitamin C and Immunity Student’s Name Institution Course Number Instructor Date

2 Vitamin C and Immunity Introduction Ascorbic acid (AA), the active ingredient in vitamin C, is present in many fruits and vegetables. Some examples include kiwis, oranges, green, red, and yellow bell peppers, and bell peppers (Lefton, 2022). The effectiveness of the immune system is boosted by vitamin C. Clinicians and academics have been intrigued by the potential benefits of ascorbic acid in illness prevention and treatment, leading to a substantial amount of research on the topic. There is limited evidence that vitamin C supplementation lowers viral illness instances, despite the fact that vitamin C deficiency is linked to an increased risk of infection. Also, while vitamin C supplements are widely believed to have beneficial effects on the immune system, there is still limited proof that ascorbic acid supplements do the same for healthy adults. A correlation between vitamin C intake and cancer treatment had been postulated in earlier research. An improved prognosis was observed in cancer patients who supplemented with vitamin C (Van Gorkom et al., 2018). Vitamin C has effects on cancer cells and the immune system, according to new studies. It is not recommended that healthy individuals take vitamin C supplements. Some recent research suggests it may be useful as a pharmaceutical drug for managing COVID-19 symptoms, and a current study found promising results in patients with acute respiratory issues (Cerullo et al., 2020). Consequently, this study provides a comprehensive review of vitamin C's roles in immunity. Neutrophil Function with Vitamin C As a micronutrient, vitamin C is critical to human wellbeing. Vitamin C is very important for the immune system, for instance. Neutrophils, which are white blood cells that fight bacteria and viruses, help the body heal wounds and avoid infections. Vitamin C shields immunological neutrophils from oxidative stress thanks to its antioxidant properties (Carr & Maggini, 2017). Once again, vitamin C's chemoattractant properties help phagocytes

3 efficiently colonize infected areas (Van Gorkom et al., 2018). Because vitamin C boosts neutrophil motility, it may be helpful for patients with low blood levels of the vitamin to take a supplement. According to Cerullo et al. (2020), vitamin C aids in the apoptosis of ineffective neutrophil cells. By avoiding necrosis, the body is able to resolve inflammation more effectively. The Role of Lymphocytes and Vitamin C Similar to how it protects neutrophils from oxidative stress, vitamin C helps lymphocytes (Cerullo et al., 2020) throughout cell development and activity. Lymphocytes are a kind of white blood cell that helps the immune system fight off infections. Their ability to bind and excrete antigens is crucial for infection prevention. Vitamin C facilitates the differentiation and expansion of T cells, which aids in their maturity (Van Gorkom et al., 2018). Additionally, ascorbic acid affects antibody synthesis by B cells. The Th1 and Th2 immune responses are influenced by vitamin C as well. Th1 and Th2 cells are essential for immunity because they trigger cellular and humoral immune responses (Cerullo et al., 2020). Th2 promotes B cell proliferation. Mice given a vitamin C-rich diet had a lower percentage of B lymphocytes compared to those given a diet without ascorbic acid, according to a recent study (Carr & Maggini, 2017). Serum levels of immunoglobulins M, G, and A were discovered to be correlated with the amount of leukocytes and plasma vitamin C in healthy persons. Vitamin C increased levels of IgG, plasma AA, and leukocyte AA in healthy human volunteers after one week of daily treatment (Van Gorkom et al., 2018). Supplementing healthy adults with ascorbic acid for 75 days raised their IgA and IgM levels. According to Cerullo et al. (2020), ascorbic acid also helps natural killer (NK) cells grow and operate. A key role of natural killer (NK) cells is to limit the spread of infectious diseases and cancers to certain organs and tissues in the body. They follow B and T lymphocytes as the blood's most prevalent lymphocyte types. Additionally, vitamin C aids in the regeneration of natural killer

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4 cells in humans (Van Gorkom et al., 2018). This could potentially help eliminate malignant cells. Vitamin C's Function in Controlling the Immune System Cerullo et al. (2020) shown that ascorbic acid has a crucial function in controlling the inflammatory response. Animal studies have shown, for instance, that increased histamine levels in the blood are associated with an ascorbic acid deficiency. The production of histamine by white blood cells is an essential part of the immune system's reaction to potential allergens. Histamine is both a mediator in the initiation of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) and a potential trigger for allergic reactions (Hemila, 2014). Mast cells contain high amounts of ascorbic acid and histamine, and hesperidin oxidizes these substances (Cerullo et al., 2020). Vitamin C's antioxidant capabilities may help prevent individuals against EIB, since the two are associated with an increase in oxidative stress. Hemila (2014) found that elevated histamine levels in guinea pig plasma, lungs, and urine were associated with ascorbic acid insufficiency. Supplementing guinea pigs with vitamin C alleviated bronchoconstriction brought on by high histamine levels. However, plasma histamine levels are quickly reduced by increasing the amount of vitamin C supplements. Similar studies conducted on humans also found reduced histamine levels. It is crucial to control the release of proinflammatory cytokines in order to maintain a healthy cytokine response. Low Level of Vitamin C The most typical reasons for vitamin C deficiency are either not getting enough nutrients in the diet or losing more than necessary due to poor absorption. People who don't eat a varied diet, especially fruits and vegetables, are more likely to have vitamin C insufficiency. As a possible risk factor in and of itself, smoking raises vitamin C requirements (Lefton, 2022). People who suffer from malabsorption disorders may also be unable to absorb

5 enough vitamin C, leading to a vitamin C shortage. Vitamin C deficiency is highly unlikely to occur in wealthy nations. According to Lefton (2022), just 8.4% of Americans are believed to suffer from vitamin C insufficiency. It would take less than 10 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C daily for around a month for someone to feel the effects of a vitamin C deficiency. Inadequate vitamin C intake can lead to the exceedingly rare disease known as scurvy in the US. Some of the symptoms of scurvy include bruising, bleeding gums, weakness, fatigue, and a rash (Lefton, 2022). If you're deficient in vitamin C, you can take a supplement. On the very first day of treatment, some individuals report feeling better. Some of them might not be back for a few weeks. Negative Reactions to Vitamin C Taking vitamin C supplements in big doses is generally safe, but it could cause some unpleasant side effects. Among the most prevalent symptoms are nephrolithiasis and heartburn. Taking larger doses increases the likelihood of adverse effects. More than 2,000 mg per day can increase the likelihood of diarrhoea and kidney stones. In those with a predisposition to kidney stones, taking more than 1,000 mg daily may increase the likelihood of acquiring the ailment (Lefton, 2022). If a patient is taking vitamin C supplements, they should inform their doctors before undergoing any kind of medical testing. Some tests, like stool testing and glucose screening tests, could be impacted by large dosages of vitamin C. In summary, Finally, the importance of vitamin C in the immune response cannot be denied. For instance, vitamin C seems to strengthen the immune system, according to a plethora of studies. People who don't get enough vitamin C are more likely to get sick than those who do. According to studies, vitamin C aids in the development, proliferation, and optimal functioning of lymphocytes. Vitamin C, for instance, affects the development and maturation of T cells. Although definitive evidence is lacking, ascorbic acid is known to enhance B

6 lymphocyte development and proliferation. Vitamin C is also helpful for making antibodies. Evidence suggests that vitamin C can hasten human NK cell regeneration and activation. Finally, there is a correlation between histamine and vitamin C concentrations. It has been found that histamine levels rise due to ascorbic acid deficiency, which could lead to inflammation. This effect can be counteracted by administering vitamin C. Because ascorbic acid affects the immune system in different ways in different animals, in vivo studies on live creatures need to be read with caution..

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7 References Carr, A. C., & Maggini, S. (2017). Vitamin C and immune function. Nutrients , 9 (11), 1211. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9111211 Cerullo, G., Negro, M., Parimbelli, M., Pecoraro, M., Perna, S., Liguori, G., Rondanelli, M., Cena, H., & D'Antona, G. (2020). The Long History of Vitamin C: From Prevention of the Common Cold to Potential Aid in the Treatment of COVID-19 . Frontiers in Immunology , 11, 574029. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2020.574029 Hemila, H. (2014). The effect of vitamin C on bronchoconstriction and respiratory symptoms caused by exercise: a review and statistical analysis. Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology ,10, 58. https://doi.org/10.1186/1710-1492-10-58 Lefton, J. (2022, July 6). Vitamin C: Uses, side effects, dosage, and interactions . Verywell Health. Retrieved July 10, 2022, from https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-benefits- of-vitamin-c-supplements-89083 Van Gorkom, G., Klein Wolterink, R., Van Elssen, C., Wieten, L., Germeraad, W., & Bos, G. (2018). Influence of Vitamin C on Lymphocytes: An Overview. Antioxidants, 7(3), 41. MDPI AG. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/antiox7030041

Vitamin C and Immunity

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