Question

1.what physiologic functions does Vitamin C play a role in beyond being an antioxidant? Compare this to the other roles of vitamin C 1 point

1. b. What herbs/supplements does vitamin C interact with and why? How could you change someone's diet to reduce the likelihood of these reactions? 1 point

1. c. What drugs does vitamin C interact with "moderate"ly (list 5) and discuss why there could be a possible interaction. 1 point

1. d. What lab tests can vitamin C interact with (list 5)? 1 point

BONUS: What foods/cooking styles are LOW in AGEs and ALEs and foods that are LOW GLYCEMIC INDEX and GLYCEMIC LOAD. Include a short paragraph about why it is important to avoid AGEs and ALEs as well as why it's important to eat foods that are LOW Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load.

Answer 1

1.Physiological Functions Of Vitamin C:

vitamin C is also required in many essential metabolic processes. A few of the highly studied physiological functions are discussed below.

1. Collagen Synthesis

Vitamin C is essential for the synthesis and maintenance of collagen, the most abundant protein in the human body. Collagen comprises about 25% to 35% of the total protein content in the body. Its strong, connective, elongated fibrils are found in skin, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, bone, blood vessels, the intestines, and the discs between spinal vertebrae. It is also found in the cornea and in muscle tissue.

2. Basement Membrane Synthesis

Basement membrane is a thin, sticky layer that supports epithelial cell layers — tissues that line the surfaces and cavities throughout the body (like the lining of the stomach and the lining of blood vessels). It binds the glomerular capillaries in the kidneys to the Bowman’s capsule which is necessary for blood filtration. It also attaches the pulmonary capillaries in the lungs to the lung alveoli. In addition, basement membrane functions as a restrictive barrier to prevent cancer cells from passing deeper into tissues.

3. Carnitine Synthesis

Vitamin C is an essential cofactor for the synthesis of carnitine - an amino acid that is necessary for the transport of fatty acids into mitochondria. This transfer of fatty acids is an important factor in the production of the ATP that is necessary for cellular energy.

4. Neurotransmitter Synthesis

Vitamin C is directly involved in the synthesis of neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are biological molecules that facilitate the electrical flow between neurons and nerve cells in the body and in the brain. The body’s ability to respond to the environment, as well as the brain’s ability to think and to remember, is dependent on these essential substances.

5. Promotes Calcium Incorporation into Bone Tissue

The formation and maintenance of quality, high-density bone material requires vitamin C. Vitamin C promotes assimilation of calcium into the bone, protects against leaching of calcium out of the bones, and fights the oxidative stress that works against assimilation.

6. Immune System Function and Maintenance

The immune system functions of vitamin C are so important that they are discussed in greater detail in [link to] 20 Ways Vitamin C Supports a Healthy Immune System.

2.Interactions of vitamin C

Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) -- Both aspirin and NSAIDs can lower the amount of vitamin C in the body because they cause more of the vitamin to be lost in urine. In addition, high doses of vitamin C can cause more of these drugs to stay in the body, raising the levels in your blood.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) -- High doses of vitamin C may lower the amount of acetaminophen passed in urine, which could cause the levels of this drug in your blood to rise

.

Aluminum-containing antacids -- Vitamin C can increase the amount of aluminum your body absorbs, which could cause the side effects of these medications to be worse.

Barbiturates -- Barbiturates may decrease the effects of vitamin C. These drugs include phenobarbital (Luminal), pentobarbital (Nembutal), and seconobarbital (Seconal).

Chemotherapy drugs -- As an antioxidant, vitamin C may interfere with the effects of some drugs taken for chemotherapy; however, some researchers speculate that vitamin C might help make chemotherapy more effective. If you are undergoing chemotherapy, do not take vitamin C or any other supplement without talking to your oncologist.

Nitrate medications for heart disease -- The combination of vitamin C with nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil), or isosorbide mononitrate (Ismo) reduces the body's tendency to build up a tolerance to these medications so that they no longer work

Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) -- Vitamin C can cause a rise in estrogen levels when taken with these drugs, particularly if you are deficient in vitamin C to begin with and start taking supplements. Oral estrogens can also decrease the effects of vitamin C in the body.

Protease inhibitors -- Vitamin C appears to slightly lower levels of indinavir (Crixivan), a medication used to treat HIV and AIDS.

Tetracycline -- Some evidence suggests that taking vitamin C with the antibiotic tetracycline may increase the levels of this medication; it may also decrease the effects of vitamin C in the body. Other antibiotics in the same family include minocycline (Minocin) and doxycycline (Vibramycin).

Warfarin (Coumadin) -- There have been rare reports of vitamin C interfering with the effectiveness of this blood thinning medication. In recent follow-up studies, no effect was found with doses of vitamin C up to 1,000 mg per day. However, if you take warfarin or another blood thinner, talk to your doctor before taking vitamin C or any other supplemen

3. Interaction of Lab tests by vitamin C

A slight increase or decrease in the concentration of total bilirubin.

The reduction in serum bicarbonate concentration.

  Vitamin C affect clinical laboratory tests for the detection of glucose and hemoglobin.

The Vitamin C affect reduction of serum potassium , serum sodium.