Essay Sample on Nutritional Supplement

Introduction

Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is naturally found in various foods, and it is usually a water-soluble supplement. Among humans, it is an essential dietary component since people do not synthesize it endogenously. This supplement is needed to help in the biosynthesis of the L-carnitine, collagen and various neurotransmitters. Collagen aids in healing wounds making it become a vital component of the connective tissues. Also, it generates antioxidants in the body hence acting as a physiological antioxidant. The sources of vitamin C are fresh vegetables and fruits like citrus fruits. The freshly squeezed citrus juices or the concentrates which are newly frozen create a good source of this vitamin. The ascorbic acid is also acquired from peppers, potatoes, berries, broccoli, and the tomatoes. The ascorbic acid or vitamin C was used in the prevention of scurvy, but currently, it is used in treating gum diseases, common cold, and skin conditions. Therefore, this paper will determine the way vitamin C interacts with the body if it is legal or illegal and both it is positive and negative effects.

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How Vitamin C Interacts with the Humans Body

Ascorbic acid is a vitamin which is needed by the body in forming the cartilages, blood vessels, collagen in the bones and muscles. As an antioxidant, this vitamin protects the cells against the effects which are caused by the free radical that is the molecules which are produced whenever the body is exposed to radiations and tobacco smoke (Ebrahimzadeh et al. 29-34). The vitamin supplement also helps the body in absorption and the storage of iron.

If Vitamin C Is Legal or Illegal

The sale of vitamin supplements over the counter is, and their usage is regulated by the Dietary Supplement and the Health Education Act. The law ensures that the supplement manufacturers produce safe and effective supplement before supplying them to the consumers. Through prevention of the sale of supplement over the counter helped in minimizing the health problems which were being caused by these supplements. Consequently, it is legal for the people to acquire the vitamin C supplement from the vegetables and fruits they consume daily (Geyer 892-902). Ascorbic acid from these sources is not harmful to the humans thus making it legal for utilization by people.

The Positive Effects of Vitamin C Supplement

Vitamin C helps in lowering the blood pressure to both individuals with or without the high blood pressure. The ascorbic acid supplements reduce the systolic blood pressure among those living with high blood pressure by 4.85 mmHg and by 1.67 mmHg in the diastolic blood pressure. Also, these supplements act as antioxidants which minimize the risk of being affected by chronic diseases. This vitamin helps in strengthening the body immunity thus fighting the disease-causing organisms. As an antioxidant, this vitamin protects the cells from getting attacked by the harmful molecules known as the free radicals. The oxidative stress is caused by the accumulation of extremists that are usually linked to chronic diseases (Moller et al. 267-274). Therefore, vitamin C supplements raise the levels of blood antioxidants by thirty percent hence helping the natural body defenses to fight the inflammation.

Adverse Effects of Vitamin C Supplements

According to Moller (et al. 267-274), when an individual takes too much of the vitamin C supplements, it ends up being toxic to their health. The mega doses of vitamin C in a persons' diet leads to heartburn, headache, diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal cramps. People are advised to eat healthy food since it ends up providing the appropriate amounts of ascorbic acid.

Work Cited

Ebrahimzadeh, Mohammad Ali, et al. "Antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of H. officinalis L. var. angustifolius, V. odorata, B. hyrcana, and C. speciosum." Pak J Pharm Sci23.1 (2010): 29-34. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267036674_Antioxidant_activity_of_aqueous_extract_of_Pyrus_boissieriana_fruit

Geyer, Hans, et al. "Nutritional supplements crosscontaminated and faked with doping substances." Journal of mass spectrometry 43.7 (2008): 892-902. Retrieved from https://rahatahmedeng120.wordpress.com/2014/12/20/perceived-benefits-of-nutritional-supplements-weighed-against-disadvantages/

Moller, Peter, et al. "Vitamin C supplementation decreases oxidative DNA damage in mononuclear blood cells of smokers." European Journal of Nutrition 43.5 (2004): 267-274. Retrieved from http://enghusen.dk/vit%20C%20supplementation.pdf