Vitamin C is a complex molecule which contain P, K and J factors, the tyrosinase enzyme, at least 14 known bioflavonoids, various ascorbagens, five copper ions, iron, manganese, zinc, selenium, phosphorus, magnesium and yes, ascorbic acid.
Ascorbic acid is only the envelope of the C complex, which protects the nutrients inside from deterioration.
The P factor is Rutin which strengthens blood vessels and collagen containing tissues like cartilage. The K factor supports blood clotting like vitamin K, limits bruising and contributes to bone strength. The J factor supports the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood to the organs and tissues.
Tyrosinase activates copper to function in energy production, metabolism, hemoglobin formation, thyroid hormone production and cholesterol metabolism.
Bioflavonoids have numerous enzyme and metabolic cofactor actions.
Ascorbagens have a beneficial effect on the liver and intestinal enzymes.
The body is dependent on the whole vitamin C complex and as we cannot make it ourselves, we are completely dependent on getting it from our food. It is found in many fruits and vegetables but is easily destroyed by heat, so they are best eaten raw. Many fruit juices are pasteurised, which means they are heated and this literally explodes the vitamin C molecule.
It is better therefore to buy whole food vitamin C supplements, as most vitamin C products are ascorbic acid only.
Biochemically, ascorbic acid is nothing like true Vitamin C. It is a pro-oxidant, not an antioxidant, which means it causes oxidation in the body, which is not good when it happens to your cells. It actually depletes and destroys true vitamin C in the body!
When I recently discovered this, I threw out my ascorbic acid vitamin C and bought the whole state one from Wild Nutrition. You do not need the high potencies of ascorbic acid when you take the whole food state one.
Ascorbic acid is incredibly cheap to synthesise and isolate in a laboratory and usually comes from genetically modified corn! This is why it is the basis of nearly all vitamin C products on the market!
So I am writing this as a health warning to those people who diligently take ascorbic acid Vitamin C every day, not realising it is in fact harmful!
This article has been written using information from an excellent book called 'The Calcium Lie II - What Your Doctor Still Doesn't Know', by Dr. Robert Thompson and Kathleen Barnes. The book clearly outlines why excess calcium is extremely harmful and the fact that bones are made up of twelve other minerals, as well as many trace minerals. The book also goes into great detail about the other major vitamins, what they are made up of, as well as their function in the human body. The book is available on Amazon and contains life changing information.
