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(as magnesium ascorbate (Non-Acid)
The primary function of vitamin C is maintaining
a protein called collagen which is essential for the formation of
connective tissue in skin, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and bones.1
Vitamin C does this by working with certain enzymes in the body to
form the amino acid L-proline from two other amino
acids, L-glutamate or L-ornithine. 2 In turn, proline
is used by the body to form another amino acid called hydroxyproline.
Vitamin C also is needed to act as a coenzyme to convert lysine
to hydoxylysine. Hydoxylysine and hydroxyproline
are essential in maintaining a very stable collagen structure, which
is likened to glue that holds the body tissues together. 2,3,4
The need for vitamin C increases with age because of the need to regenerate collagen. 5,6 Studies have shown that vitamin C protects and enhances cartilage formation while research has proven that excess vitamin C is crucial to the maintaining of healthy cartilage cells. 6,7,8 Among the elderly, insufficient intake of vitamin C is quite common. This has resulted in altered cartilage production and compromised cartilage repair. 4
Research has proven that vitamin C is critical to the production and protection of healthy cartilage cells. 6,7,8 Also, when vitamin C levels are higher than the RDA, the synovial fluid, the lubricating fluid of joints, becomes thinner allowing freer movement.1 Vitamin C also assists in converting the inactive form of folic acid into the bioactive form, folinic acid 1, which is required for the conversion of the toxic amino acid homocysteine into cystanthionine. Elevated homocysteine levels are known to break down the collagen in the bone and artery wall weakening these structures.
Flex Naturally™ uses a non-acid form of vitamin C called magnesium ascorbate. This form is well tolerated and will not upset the stomach. 9
| References: | |
| 1 | The Nutrition Almanac 3rd Edition (1990):44, 45 |
| 2 | Eric R. Braverman, M.D., Carl C. Pfeiffer, M.D., Ph.D., The Healing Nutrients Within (1987):211 3 Michael T. |
| 3 | Murray, N.D., Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements (1996):61 |
| 4 | Elson M. Hass M.D., Staying Healthy with Nutrition: The Complete Guide to Diet and Nutritional Medicine (1992):143,144 |
| 5 | E.R. Schwartz, “The Modulation of Osteoarthritic Development by Vitamins C and E,” Int J Vit Nutr Res Suppl 26 (1984):141-6 |
| 6 | C.J. Bates, “Proline and Hydroxyproline Excretion and Vitamin C Status in Elderly Human Subjects,” Clin Sci Mol Med 52 (1977):535-43 |
| 7 | A.p. Prins, J.M. Lipman, C.A. McDevitt, and L. Sokoloff, “Effect of Purified Growth Factors on Rabbit Articular Chondroctyes in Monolayer Culture,” Arthr Rheum 25 (1982):1228-32 |
| 8 | G. Krystal, G.M. Morris, and L. Sokoloff, :Stimulation of DNA Synthesis by Ascorbate in Cultures of Articular Chondrocytes,” Arth Rheum 25 (1982):318-25 |
| 9 | Joseph B. Marion, Anti-Aging Manual, The Encyclopedia of Natural Health (1996):37 |
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