Vitamin C: Is it Relevant or Obsolete in the Modern Era?

Purpose In this review, we discuss the historic background of vitamin C, vitamin C’s physiology, its dietary sources, and how deficiency can manifest. We also discuss modern studies investigating the role of Vitamin C in immunity, in cardiovascular disease, and in chronic conditions. Summary In the body, vitamin C acts as an essential cofactor in several enzymatic reactions including, but not limited to, neurotransmitter synthesis, hormone amidation, collagen synthesis, hypoxic transcription factor modification, and epigenetic modifications. Scurvy, caused by severe vitamin C deficiency, is an infamous disease recorded in historical documents, with patients presenting with joint ache, bleeding gums, depression, and hysteria. Since humans are unable to naturally synthesize ascorbic acid, they must rely on dietary sources such as fruits and vegetables in order to maintain their vitamin C levels and avoid such manifestations. Maintaining stable vitamin C levels remains increasingly important in the modern era, particularly for the vulnerable pediatric patient with chronic conditions or critical illness. Regulating vitamin C levels could decrease morbidity and mortality in the chronic and critically ill pediatric population. Moving forward, there is a need for more head-to-head trials pertaining to vitamin C’s role in improving immunity, modifying cardiovascular risk, and altering cancer prognosis.