Medindia
Take charge of your health! Register
Medindia » Diet and Nutrition

Vitamin C / Ascorbic acid

Medically Reviewed by The Medindia Medical Review Team on Feb 14, 2016


Vitamin C / Ascorbic acid - Getting to know it!

Vitamin C or Ascorbic acid is a water-soluble, anti-oxidant vitamin.


The most important function of this vitamin is to boost the immunity and to supply the body with anti-oxidative power. It is also needed for the synthesis of collagen (structural component of blood vessels, bones, ligaments, and tendons) and dentin (structural component of teeth).

Vitamin C is an 'enediol-lactone' of an acid. The naturally occurring form of the vitamin is L-ascorbic acid, and is structurally similar to L-glucose.

Being an anti-oxidant, it protects proteins and genetic material (RNA and DNA) from free radical damage.

Cite this Article

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    Dr. Reeja Tharu. (2016, February 14). Vitamin C / Ascorbic acid-Toxicity-Supplements-Vitamin B6-Vitamin B9-Vitamin B12. Medindia. Retrieved on Dec 22, 2024 from https://www.medindia.net/health/diet-and-nutrition/vitamin-c.htm.

  • MLA

    Dr. Reeja Tharu. "Vitamin C / Ascorbic acid-Toxicity-Supplements-Vitamin B6-Vitamin B9-Vitamin B12". Medindia. Dec 22, 2024. <https://www.medindia.net/health/diet-and-nutrition/vitamin-c.htm>.

  • Chicago

    Dr. Reeja Tharu. "Vitamin C / Ascorbic acid-Toxicity-Supplements-Vitamin B6-Vitamin B9-Vitamin B12". Medindia. https://www.medindia.net/health/diet-and-nutrition/vitamin-c.htm. (accessed Dec 22, 2024).

  • Harvard

    Dr. Reeja Tharu. 2016. Vitamin C / Ascorbic acid-Toxicity-Supplements-Vitamin B6-Vitamin B9-Vitamin B12. Medindia, viewed Dec 22, 2024, https://www.medindia.net/health/diet-and-nutrition/vitamin-c.htm.

View Non AMP Site | Back to top ↑