Vitamin C is an essential water-soluble molecule for several physiological processes. It fights off free radicals while replenishing important cellular antioxidants like glutathione and vitamin E, providing protection from further oxidation of cells.

Vitamin C serves as a cofactor for several biosynthetic and gene regulatory enzymes, and preclinical studies indicate it improves leukocyte chemotaxis, killing of microorganisms, phagocytosis/apoptosis/apoptotic cell clearance by macrophages, as well as leukocyte chemotaxis/chemotaxis.

Boosts Natural Killer Cells

Think of your immune system like an orchestra: for it to perform at its best, all musicians must follow the score. If any violin or string quartet goes out of tune, the entire performance suffers; in the same way, we want our immune systems to operate optimally to keep us healthy and protect us against diseases that threaten life.

Vitamin C is an invaluable nutrient for supporting immunity. It has the power to strengthen phagocytes (white blood cells that digest pathogens), helping release oxidizing agents that destroy them while also increasing production of T-lymphocytes, essential for cell-mediated immunity.

Vitamin C’s many beneficial properties include increasing production of interferons – chemical messengers which aid cells in fighting infection – as well as encouraging hydrogen peroxide production, which deactivates pathogens by dissolving their protective granules and killing them off.

Studies have demonstrated that oral administration of buffered vitamin C can restore impaired NK (natural killer cell) and T (T-lymphocyte) cell functions after toxic chemical exposure.1

Other nutrients play a key role in immune health as well, including protein. For optimal results, opt for plant sources like legumes, nuts and seeds (instead of processed meats), poultry and seafood; be sure to consume plenty of whole grains and dairy; plus get adequate sun exposure in order to produce enough vitamin D which plays an integral part in our immune health.

Enhances Phagocytosis

As with an orchestra, our immune systems are comprised of multiple interrelated parts that must be in harmony for proper functioning. When an instrument or musician goes off key or performs poorly, the whole group suffers. Conversely, when all musicians play harmoniously together to raise immunity and ward off disease effectively.

Vitamin C is a potent immune-building nutrient, helping white blood cells, known as leukocytes, respond to microorganism threats in several ways – including creating antibodies and eliminating pathogens. Lymphocytes play an especially significant role here – they patrol around your body searching out pathogens; while phagocytes surround and consume any invading organisms.

Researchers from The Ohio State University College of Medicine recently conducted a groundbreaking research study and discovered that vitamin C helps support both lymphocytes and phagocytes by increasing production of hydrogen peroxide while protecting these immune cells against pro-inflammatory compounds like reactive oxygen species that attack them.

Chan-Wang Jerry Lio, PhD, an assistant professor in MI&I and member of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute was intrigued by phagocytes being naturally rich in vitamin C; therefore he and his team decided to research its effect on their response mechanisms.

Their discovery revealed that taking more vitamin C increased levels of Prdm1, which helps B cells differentiate into plasma cells that release antibodies to combat microorganisms that invade our bodies. Further investigation uncovered how vitamin C works through epigenetics–a process in which environmental factors alter which genes are expressed at certain times–to allow cells to become who they should be.

Researchers discovered that vitamin C increased activity of an enzyme known as TET, which works by clearing away methyl groups from DNA to allow Prdm1 expression and allow B cells to differentiate into plasma cells. They also noted that supplementing with vitamin C during colds reduced B cell decline rates suggesting its preventive and curative properties against respiratory infections.

Attenuates Inflammation

As soon as your knee gets scraped, its swelling is a signal from your immune system that it is doing its job in protecting you against invading germs. But ongoing inflammation in your body – where you cannot see or feel it – poses a threat for heart disease, cancer, diabetes and autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis – making vitamin C the key ingredient to keeping inflammation under control.

Vitamin C is an incredibly powerful antioxidant, capable of neutralizing free radicals that could damage cells and tissues, while helping create new blood vessels and repair existing ones. You can get most of your vitamin C from fruits and vegetables such as oranges, strawberries, broccoli and cauliflower; but liver fish eggs and beef also contain plenty of this nutrient. However, certain people may not receive sufficient amounts due to consuming too few fatty fish or getting sufficient sun exposure.

Studies indicate that vitamin C may help to decrease inflammation caused by exercise. One research project concluded that taking high doses of vitamin C helped protect against exercise-induced inflammation response and muscle soreness.

Studies have also shown that vitamin C supplementation during intense training programs may reduce oxidative stress associated with exercise and increase anti-inflammatory gene expression, including reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1 and IL-6 production and an increase in expression of the anti-inflammatory molecule IL-10.

Vitamin C appears to assist in speeding the recovery process after exercise, leading to less fatigue and injuries. More research must be completed in order to verify these findings.

Vitamin C not only has anti-inflammatory benefits, but studies have revealed it also can increase your body’s natural production of the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4) – this regulates metabolic rates as well as mood, energy levels and weight management.

Before beginning taking any new vitamin or dietary supplement, always consult with your physician first. Some can interfere with medications you already take; too much vitamin C could pose risks if taken with certain treatments for diabetes, asthma or psoriasis.

Supports Immune Function

The immune system is an intricate network of organs, tissues, cells, proteins and chemicals designed to protect our bodies against pathogenic microbes, viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites and cancer cells. The immune system can be divided into antibody-mediated immunity and cell-mediated immunity; latter involves white blood cells such as macrophages, natural killer cells and T lymphocytes among others; vitamin C optimizes both types of immunity.

One way it does this is by modulating redox-sensitive cell signaling pathways. Vitamin C also acts as a powerful antioxidant, protecting important biological molecules like proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids from oxidative damage. Accumulating vitamin C within phagocytic cells such as neutrophils and NK cells has been shown to enhance their chemotaxis, phagocytosis and production of reactive oxygen species that destroy microbes [64]. Furthermore, In vivo studies demonstrated that giving vitamin C to septic Gulo mice increased neutrophil motility and phagocytosis while decreasing lung permeability [65].

Vitamin C serves as a cofactor in several biosynthetic and gene regulatory monooxygenase and dioxygenase enzymes used for biosynthesis and gene regulation, including monooxygenase and dioxygenase enzymes that remove methyl groups from DNA and histones to effect epigenetic regulation and affect gene expression. According to recent research, asparagyl hydrolases involved with downregulating hypoxia-inducible factor-1a (HIF-1a) utilize vitamin C cofactors as part of their function.

Vitamin C may bolster immune function directly by stimulating lymphocyte activity directly. Studies have demonstrated that providing vitamin C to mice increases their number of B and T lymphocytes circulating as well as their proliferation and maturation in vitro; additionally it fosters production of key cell-mediated immunity cytokines like interferon beta as well as producing more B lymphocytes in circulation and increasing their number circulating as a whole.

Vitamin C helps strengthen immunity by inhibiting the activity of an enzyme produced by pathogenic viruses and bacteria called neuraminidase, which prevents their attachment to white blood cell receptors that could otherwise trigger antibody-mediated immunity responses.