La vitamine C : son importance dans la réponse immunitaire

Vitamin C: its importance in the immune response

We have compiled for you a useful summary of the properties of vitamin C in the immune response.

We've compiled a helpful summary of vitamin C's properties in this area. This article also discusses the benefits of vitamin C for the body and the risks associated with vitamin C deficiency.

General reminders about vitamin C.

Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, is found naturally in fresh vegetables, particularly citrus fruits (it is destroyed by cooking above 150/180°C).
Humans do not synthesize vitamin C; it must be obtained from food.

Vitamin C requirements:

Daily requirements are around 100 mg.

Vitamin C is water soluble , so it is easily eliminated in the urine when it is in excess in the blood (above 12 mg/l of plasma).

Higher doses may be useful (smokers, periods of stress or fever, etc.) but the positive effects of mega doses have never been clearly demonstrated (including recently against Covid), especially since the absorption of massive doses is very low (it drops to 20% for 5 g ingested).
It is better to favor more moderate and more frequent intakes during the day.

Vitamin C deficiency:

Complete vitamin C deficiency is very rare: this was the case for long-distance sailors in the 16th/17th century who had no fresh food for months and were decimated by scurvy , a problem solved with lemon juice (and sauerkraut!).

Other key information to know:

  • There is no demonstrated difference in absorption between the natural or synthetic form, however vitamin C from plants is associated with flavonoids which increase its effectiveness.
  • It participates in the synthesis of collagen and carnitine (hence its key role in tissue regeneration), it interacts strongly with free radicals.

Vitamin C: An essential enhancer of adaptogenic and immune responses

Vitamin C has many benefits :

  1. Vitamin C increases the synthesis of interferons.
    Interferons are the first warning mechanism of the cellular immune system. They are produced when an infectious agent is detected.
  2. Vitamin C stimulates the production of T4 lymphocytes.
    It stimulates the production of T4 lymphocytes, key elements of cellular immunity and increases the activity of polymorphonuclear globules (for the phagocytosis of pathogenic elements).
  3. Vitamin C accelerates the breakdown of histamine.
    The accumulation of histamine in the body is immuno-depressing (weakens the immune system), particularly for bronchial pathologies (cough, allergies, asthma).
  4. Vitamin C fights stress.
    It improves general resistance to stress, the immunosuppressive role of which is now recognized as obvious.
  5. Other key roles of vitamin C.
    Other contributions are also mentioned (but rarely quantified or scientifically established): a partial virucidal and bactericidal role, stimulation of the thymus.

Vitamin C doesn't work miracles, but it is an essential support for the cellular immune response.

Argalys products with Natural Vitamin C (dosed Acerola): for specific occasional uses, in addition to a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables.

The Argalys team