Journal de la nutrition et des sciences alimentaires
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The Multifaceted Biological Roles of Vitamin C

Shiu-Ming Kuo

Scurvy due to severe vitamin C (ascorbic acid) deficiency among sailors was one of the earliest documented occupational diseases. This review first discussed some reduction potential-based biochemical activities of vitamin C such as assisting the post-translational collagen modification as well as acting as an antioxidant and pro-oxidant. These known activities of vitamin C were then used to address recent outcomes of vitamin C clinical trials on the prevention and treatment of non-scurvy diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. The pro-oxidant activity may contribute to the adverse effect of high-level vitamin C supplementation in clinical trials.