How Vitamin C Protects The Brain From Inflammation

A lot is known about how vitamin C influences the body but many people are unaware of how important vitamins like vitamin C are in protecting the brain from inflammation.

Our brains are very active and consume a lot of energy each day. They are just as prone to oxidative stresses as our body is. Accumulated oxidative stress within the brain is linked to various diseases or health concerns such as Alzheimer’s disease and high blood pressure which is linked to stroke risk.

As an antioxidant vitamin C provides systemic protection against oxidative stress to the entire body and mind. This vitamin is also one of the most well absorbed antioxidant vitamins. Human tolerable limits of vitamin C are really high in comparison to other vitamins too. The upper limit of vitamin C intake has been estimated to be around 2 grams a day or 2000mg.

In spite of this current estimates show that around 10% to 15% of the adult population in the west may have suboptimal to deficient levels of vitamin C. Studies have linked improved intakes of vitamin C to higher cognitive states and lowered inflammation levels within the brain. Research also suggests that vitamin C could protect the brain from alcohol induced oxidative stress.

Here the possible benefits of vitamin C in protecting the brain from inflammation are outlined to show how this essential vitamin supports the optimal wellbeing of your mind.

Vitamin C And The Brain

Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin needed in large amounts throughout the body. This vitamin is one of the most important antioxidant vitamins in the body. Vitamin C supports and is essential for many of the ongoing processes which occur within our bodies to support life. Rich food sources of vitamin C include peppers and kiwi fruits. These foods could support our vitamin C RDA of up to 90mg for an adult male and 75mg for an adult female.

The main function of vitamin C is as a systemic antioxidant which moves through cells and cleanses oxidative stress. Other functions of vitamin C include the support of healthy red blood cell formation and also the health of the immune system. Vitamin C does not just support the wellbeing of the body but also provides support for our brain too. Oxidative stress affects the entire body system.

Heightened levels of oxidative stress are linked with various disease states of the brain such as Alzheimer’s and also risk of stokes. Oxidative stress and inflammation are intertwined. Heightened levels of oxidative stress are able to influence and also worsen inflammation. Vitamin C plays a crucial role in the body system in having the ability to eliminate escalations of this scenario to some extent. This is just as important for the brain as for the body.

Vitamin C And Inflammation Of The Brain

Many research studies support the notion that vitamin C has direct actions in reducing inflammation within the brain.

One study suggests that only slight deficiency in vitamin C could be very influential on the risks of developing Alzheimer’s disease. This is thought to be because of changes in oxidative stress levels. These are able to cause variations in levels of brain inflammation which affects Alzheimer’s risk. Ascorbic acid or vitamin C has a natural ability to cleanse oxidative stress which may be neuroprotective and anti inflammatory at the right levels. Through this antioxidant activity vitamin C could have preventative benefits against neurodegeneration.

Other studies also support these findings. One study found that vitamin C modulated levels of oxidative stress within the brain to protect against induced neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment. Vitamin C may also support healthy neurotransmission through protecting the development of particular nerve cells. Vitamin C may also counter the excitotoxicity of some inflammatory nervous system excitotoxins. This vitamin is currently thought to be one of the first antioxidants to respond to inflammation causing oxidative stresses. Especially within the central nervous system.

Vitamin C has also been shown to support the antioxidant activities of other antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin E. Vitamin E is fat soluble. This is another means as to how vitamin C could support lower levels of inflammation within the brain.

Vitamin C And Brain Inflammation From Alcohol Consumption

Vitamin C has been shown to have a possible importance in protecting the brain from oxidative stress which results from excess alcohol consumption.

Levels of vitamin C could influence the risks of developing neurodegenerative diseases linked with excess alcohol consumption such as Alzheimer’s disease and inflammation to the brain. Other studies also support vitamin C as being important in reducing damaging levels of brain inflammation that could result from alcohol consumption.

Alcohol is a strong solvent which will naturally effect fat containing brain tissues. Alcoholic damage to brain tissues is known to influence cognitive ability and important brain functions. Likewise deficiencies of vitamin C or vitamin C depletion are linked to changes in brain structure and function. These studies with vitamin C and alcohol further support the role of vitamin C as an effective agent at reducing inflammation within the brain.

Vitamin C And Risk Of Brain Inflammation After Strokes

Another study showed that vitamin C levels are significantly lower in people who have suffered from strokes. These individuals also show higher levels of inflammatory markers and oxidative stress.

Strokes are very inflammatory for brain tissues with various inflammatory cytokines being released. Oxidative stress is a possible contributing factor to the development of central nervous system injuries.

The study concluded that vitamin C depletion early in the stroke recovery phase could be critical in preventing brain injury. Other studies also show that vitamin C intake could be crucial in the prevention of brain and nerve injuries. Vitamin C may also influence the regulation of genetic responses to inflammation. This suggests that vitamin C could be important in supporting lowered levels of inflammation in stroke victims.

Strokes are the second leading cause of mortality across the globe. Stroke victims are also at a much higher risk of developing delayed dementia. This further emphasises the possible importance of vitamin C in supporting the cognitive wellbeing of these individuals.

Research also shows that vitamin C could support blood vessel health in areas near the brain tissues. Studies report that vitamin C is a possible preventative nutrient of blood vessel atherosclerosis. Blood vessel clogging from atherosclerosis is an important influencing factor on the risk of strokes. This is another means that vitamin C could support brain wellbeing and may reduce stroke risk too. Vitamin C is also thought to support blood brain barrier integrity. This provides defensive support against brain inflammation via toxin exclusion.

Overall the research indicates that vitamin C is supportive of lowered oxidative stress levels within the brain and elevated vitamin C intake could possibly support lowered levels of brain inflammation.

Summary

Vitamin C has possible influences on brain health and cognition which many people are unaware of.

The brain is very active and is just as prone to oxidative stress as the body is. Accumulations in oxidative stress are as detrimental for the brain as for the body. Oxidative stress is linked to various diseases of the brain including Alzheimer’s disease.

Vitamin C is an essential antioxidant which supports the entire body system from inflammation causing oxidative stress. This vitamin is thought to be very influential on levels of oxidative stress within the brain.

Studies show slight deficiencies in vitamin C could influence the risks of developing Alzheimer’s diseases because of changes to levels of oxidative stress. As an antioxidant vitamin C may be preventative against neurodegeneration. Vitamin C is one of the initial responders to oxidative stress within the nervous system and may support healthy neurotransmission via protecting nerve cells or preventing excitotoxicity.

Vitamin C could also support other antioxidants in reducing inflammation within the brain. Studies support vitamin C as having a role in preventing alcohol caused oxidative stress and reducing risks of some neurodegenerative diseases linked with alcohol consumption.

Vitamin C levels are significantly lower in people who have had a stroke and vitamin C has been linked with reductions in risk of nervous system injuries. Vitamin C may support blood brain barrier integrity and blood vessel health which may reduce the risk of a stroke.

Overall the studies with vitamin C support lowered levels of brain inflammation as being possible with elevated vitamin C intake as a result of natural antioxidant support.

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