Micronutrients May Be a Unique Weapon Against the Neurotoxic Triad of Excitotoxicity, Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation: A Perspective
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2021.726457/full
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Direct neutralization: Vitamin C neutralizes free radicals, such as the nitric oxide radical, by donating an electron and becoming an ascorbyl radical. The ascorbyl radical is relatively stable and can be converted back to vitamin C.
Vitamin C and RNS/ROS as regulators: Vitamin C works with B vitamins to manage the cell's redox state. It directly neutralizes RNS and ROS, protecting delicate amino acid residues on proteins from damage. It also helps regenerate other antioxidant molecules.
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Potential for higher demand: Individuals who consume high-fat diets, including saturated and trans fats, may require a higher intake of vitamin C to maintain adequate levels, due to the increased oxidative stress.
How ascorbate influences fat metabolism
While fats can negatively impact vitamin C status, adequate vitamin C levels are crucial for proper fat metabolism.
Aids fat oxidation: Ascorbate is a cofactor for enzymes involved in the synthesis of carnitine, a molecule essential for transporting long-chain fatty acids into mitochondria to be burned for energy.
Inhibits fat storage: Studies have shown that vitamin C can prevent fat deposition induced by high-fat diets. For example, animal studies found that vitamin C supplementation could reduce body weight and fat deposits by downregulating genes involved in lipid metabolism.
Reduces hepatic steatosis: In animal models, vitamin C treatment has been shown to reduce liver fat accumulation and improve insulin sensitivity, counteracting the effects of a high-fat diet.
Obesity: The inverse relationship between vitamin C status and body fat is well-documented. Adequate vitamin C levels improve fat oxidation during exercise, while low levels make it harder for the body to burn fat.
Metabolic syndrome: Excess dietary energy and fat consumption are linked to metabolic syndrome and low vitamin C status, potentially mediated by gut inflammation and impaired vitamin C absorption.
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Obesity: The inverse relationship between vitamin C status and body fat is well-documented. Adequate vitamin C levels improve fat oxidation during exercise, while low levels may make it harder for the body to burn fat.
Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, plays a vital indirect role in fat oxidation and metabolism
The link is primarily due to vitamin C's function as a cofactor in the synthesis of carnitine, a molecule essential for transporting fatty acids into the mitochondria where they are "burned" for energy.
Carnitine synthesis:
Vitamin C is a required cofactor for the enzymes that produce carnitine in the body. With sufficient vitamin C, carnitine production is optimized, allowing the efficient transport of fatty acids for energy use.
Low or marginal vitamin C levels oxidize less fat during exercise compared to those with adequate levels. One study found that individuals with low vitamin C burned 25–30% less fat during a 60-minute walk.
Normalizing vitamin C levels in deficient subjects significantly increased their fat-burning capacity during exercise.
Inverse relationship with body fat: Low plasma vitamin C concentrations are often associated with a higher body mass index (BMI) and increased body fat. This suggests that low vitamin C may make individuals more resistant to losing body fat.
Must be combined with exercise: The fat-burning effects of vitamin C are most significant when combined with regular physical activity. The process of fat oxidation during exercise depends on adequate vitamin C levels.Must be combined with exercise: The fat-burning effects of vitamin C are most significant when combined with regular physical activity. The process of fat oxidation during exercise depends on adequate vitamin C levels.