Why is vitamin C important for preventing inflammation?

Vitamin C is important for preventing inflammation due to its antioxidant properties and its role in modulating the immune system. Here are a few key reasons why vitamin C is effective in reducing inflammation:

Antioxidant Effects

As a powerful antioxidant, vitamin C helps neutralize harmful free radicals and reactive oxygen species that can cause oxidative stress and inflammation. By scavenging these reactive compounds, vitamin C prevents them from damaging cells and triggering an inflammatory response.

Immune System Regulation

Vitamin C plays a crucial role in regulating both the innate and adaptive immune system. It helps protect neutrophils from oxidative stress during the early stages of an immune response when they produce reactive oxygen species to destroy pathogens. Vitamin C also enhances phagocytosis by neutrophils and supports their clearance by macrophages.

Cytokine Modulation

Vitamin C can modulate the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-6 by inhibiting the activation of the transcription factor NF-κB. It does this by scavenging cellular ROS and directly inhibiting kinases involved in TNF-α-mediated NF-κB activation.

Clinical Evidence

Studies have shown that vitamin C supplementation can significantly reduce levels of inflammatory markers like high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and IL-6 in obese individuals with hypertension and/or diabetes. Vitamin C has also been found to improve inflammatory status in overweight individuals by reducing postprandial increases in IL-6 and TNF-α.

Histamine Regulation

Animal studies have linked vitamin C deficiency to higher circulating histamine levels, which can be normalized by restoring vitamin C levels. Histamine is a key mediator of inflammation.

In summary, vitamin C’s antioxidant properties, immune-regulating effects, ability to modulate inflammatory cytokines, and role in histamine regulation make it an important nutrient for preventing and reducing inflammation in the body. Ensuring adequate vitamin C intake, either through diet or supplementation, may help mitigate chronic inflammation.