Vitamin C, also known as L-ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin. While many mammals and animals can synthesize their own, humans are missing the last enzyme in the gulonolactone oxidase pathway rendering us unable to make vitamin C. You must obtain this essential vitamin daily from diet or supplements.†
Vitamin C is an essential cofactor for several enzyme reactions in the body. These include synthesizing collagen, carnitine, tyrosine, neurotransmitters, and regulating gene expression.†
Vitamin C is one of the most foundational and well-studied nutrients for its antioxidant and immune health properties. As an antioxidant, vitamin C has potent reducing capabilities. By readily donating its electrons, vitamin C quenches free radicals such as hydroxyl and superoxide radicals, known to contribute to many health concerns. It also works with other antioxidants to create a stronger, synergistic antioxidative effect. For example, it has been shown that vitamin C enhances tocopherol (vitamin E) activity as a co-antioxidant.†
As a cofactor, vitamin C also helps healthy histamine levels by supporting histamine metabolism, DAO production, and mast cell stabilization.†
Vitamin C plays crucial roles in the histamine pathway as seen on the StrateGene® Report. The histamine N-methyltransferase (HNMT) enzyme converts histamine into N-methylhistamine, which can be toxic in high amounts. The monoamine oxidase enzymes, MAOA and MAOB, help to metabolize N-methylhistamine to reduce its levels. Vitamin C helps to increase MAOA and MAOB enzyme activity. This further supports the breakdown of histamine and its byproducts.†
Histamine from foods and microbes needs to be broken down by the diamine oxidase (DAO) enzyme. Vitamin C plays a key role in allowing this process to happen. Further, vitamin C inhibits histidine decarboxylase, the enzyme that forms histamine from histidine. These key roles in histamine metabolism are supported by vitamin C.†
The histamine pathway and many others can be explored in the StrateGene® Report.†
Optimal Vitamin C Plus provides a bioavailable, buffered form of vitamin C as ascorbic acid, calcium ascorbate, and magnesium ascorbate. Vitamin C in the buffered form is less acidic and can reduce stomach upset from ascorbic acid. This can allow people with sensitive stomachs to tolerate higher doses of vitamin C.†
Optimal Vitamin C Plus features a synergistic bioflavonoid blend of quercetin and luteolin. Bioflavonoids (flavonoids) are a type of compound synthesized by plants. They are thought to contribute to some of the health benefits of a plant-rich diet. Bioflavonoids support healthy inflammation responses, respiratory function, cellular health, and cellular communication. They also help enhance vitamin C’s action while providing synergistic antioxidant benefits.†
Optimal Vitamin C Plus supports optimal vitamin C utilization. This heightens vitamin C’s ability to support healthy oxidative stress responses, antioxidant function, histamine balance, mast cell stability, and so much more.†
For a bioavailable liposomal vitamin C formula with bioflavonoids, try our Optimal Liposomal Vitamin C Plus.†