Vitamin C: Air Pollution's Natural Antidote?

Air pollution is a major health concern, with the World Health Organisation deeming it the world's largest environmental health risk factor. It is known to cause and exacerbate respiratory diseases such as asthma, COPD, and lung cancer.

Vitamin C, found in citrus fruits and dark green vegetables, may help to reduce the harmful effects of air pollution. A study of London hospital patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) found that those with low levels of vitamin C had an increased risk of breathing problems on days when outdoor air pollution levels were high.

Vitamin C may prevent adverse vascular effects of air pollution exposure. A randomised double-blind crossover trial involving 58 healthy young adults in China found that vitamin C supplementation was significantly associated with a decrease in several inflammation markers.

However, evidence on the health benefits of vitamin C in highly polluted areas is limited, and it is not clear whether vitamin C would benefit people without pre-existing respiratory diseases.

Vitamin C may reduce the harmful effects of air pollution for people with chronic lung diseases

Air pollution is the world's largest environmental health risk factor, and it is known to cause and exacerbate a number of chronic respiratory diseases. Vitamin C, found in citrus fruits such as oranges, may have a protective effect against air pollution.

A study by Canova et al. found that adults with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who had lower levels of vitamin C in their blood were more vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution. Specifically, the study found that with every increase in course particulate matter of 10 micrograms per cubic meter, there was a 35% increased risk of hospital admission for people with asthma or COPD. However, the risk of admission was 1.2 times greater among people with low levels of vitamin C.

Vitamin C may prevent adverse vascular effects of air pollution exposure. A randomised double-blind crossover trial involving 58 healthy young adults in China found that vitamin C supplementation was significantly associated with a 19.47% decrease in interleukin-6 (IL-6), a 17.30% decrease in tumour necrosis factor-a (TNF-α), a 34.01% decrease in C-reactive protein (CRP), a 3.37% decrease in systolic blood pressure (SBP), and a 6.03% decrease in pulse pressure (PP).

Antioxidants, such as vitamin C, may protect the body from harmful molecules called free radicals that damage cells. Free radicals can form when air pollution enters the lungs, and evidence suggests they play a role in heart disease, cancer, and even respiratory ailments. Antioxidants can bind to free radicals, counteracting them before they damage cells.

Overall, vitamin C may reduce the harmful effects of air pollution for people with chronic lung diseases, but more studies are needed to confirm this.

Vitamin C may protect the body from harmful molecules called free radicals

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble nutrient that is vital for a healthy immune system. It is one of the few antioxidants found in the airway surface liquid (ASL), which is a physical barrier that helps expel pathogens through mucociliary clearance.

Several studies have found that vitamin C may help mitigate the adverse effects of air pollution. For example, a study of London hospital patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) found that those with low levels of vitamin C were more likely to experience breathing problems on days with high levels of air pollution. Another study of adults in China found that vitamin C supplementation was associated with a decrease in inflammatory markers, suggesting a potential protective effect against the adverse vascular effects of air pollution.

However, it is important to note that the evidence on the protective effects of vitamin C against air pollution is limited, and more research is needed to confirm these findings.

Antioxidants, such as vitamin C, can bind to free radicals, counteracting them before they damage cells

Vitamin C, found in citrus fruits such as oranges, may have a protective effect against air pollution. A study of London hospital patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) found that those with low levels of vitamin C had an increased risk of breathing problems on days when outdoor air pollution levels were high. The study also found that the risk of hospital admission was 1.2 times greater among people with low levels of vitamin C.

Citrus fruits and dark green vegetables such as broccoli and spinach are good sources of vitamin C. It is biologically plausible that vitamin C, which acts as an antioxidant, could protect against the effects of air pollution.

Vitamin C may help people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

The study, published in the journal Epidemiology, examined the levels of "course particulate matter," which is produced largely through the combustion of fossil fuels. Results showed that with every increase of 10 micrograms per cubic meter (mcg/m3) of course particulate matter, there was a 35% increased risk of hospital admission for people with asthma or COPD. However, the risk of admission was 1.2 times greater among people with low levels of vitamin C.

Another study from the UK also showed that adults with asthma and COPD who had lower levels of vitamin C in their blood were more vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution. The researchers concluded that people with pre-existing respiratory diseases and low vitamin C levels are more susceptible to the harmful effects of air pollution.

Vitamin C is a well-known antioxidant found in citrus fruits such as oranges, as well as dark green vegetables such as broccoli and spinach. Antioxidants may protect the body from harmful molecules called free radicals that can form when air pollution enters the lungs. Evidence suggests that free radicals play a role in heart disease, cancer, and respiratory ailments. Antioxidants can bind to free radicals, counteracting them before they damage cells.

Additionally, a systematic review and meta-analysis found that vitamin C supplementation (≥400 mg/day) can significantly improve lung function and increase the levels of antioxidation in the serum of patients with COPD. The review also concluded that vitamin C supplementation could enhance the antioxidant ability in COPD patients and reduce the mortality rate of COPD.

Vitamin C may prevent adverse vascular effects of air pollution exposure

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can be found in citrus fruits such as oranges, as well as in dark green vegetables such as broccoli and spinach. Antioxidants can protect the body from harmful molecules called free radicals that damage cells. Free radicals can form when air pollution enters the lungs, and evidence suggests they play a role in heart disease, cancer, and even respiratory ailments. Antioxidants can bind to free radicals, counteracting them before they damage cells.

A study published in the July 2012 issue of the journal Epidemiology found that London hospital patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and low levels of vitamin C had an increased risk of breathing problems on days when outdoor air pollution levels were high. The study also found that the risk of hospital admission was 1.2 times greater among people with low levels of vitamin C.

Overall, the evidence suggests that vitamin C may help prevent adverse vascular effects of air pollution exposure, particularly in individuals with respiratory diseases such as asthma or COPD. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings and determine the optimal dosage of vitamin C for this purpose.

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