Vitamin C
The Poster Shows the Pathway that Humans lack. Most mammals synthesize ascorbate from glucose via gulonolactone; humans, other primates and guinea pigs carry a broken final enzyme, which is why this is a vitamin for us and not for a dog.
In depth
Vitamin C — required for collagen hydroxylation, iron absorption and as a reducing agent.
What drives it
Micronutrient status increases it.
The Poster shows the pathway humans lack - most mammals synthesize ascorbate from glucose via gulonolactone; humans carry a broken final enzyme. Carried by the intermediary-metabolism, micronutrient and clinical reviews (PMC9967593; doi 10.3390/nu18132141; PMC12673670; doi 10.1016/j.molmet.2023.101755). Verbatim: “Due to the functional loss of the gene coding for l-gulonolactone oxidase, humans cannot synthesize vitamin C; thus, they principally utilize plant-based foods for their needs”. doi 10.3390/nu18132141 · PMID 31671820 · PMC9967593
What it drives
It increases Tissue remodeling.
Required cofactor for prolyl and lysyl hydroxylase. Carried by the intermediary-metabolism, micronutrient and clinical reviews. doi 10.3390/nu18132141 · PMC9967593
It increases Iron status.
Enhances non-heme iron absorption. Carried by the intermediary-metabolism, micronutrient and clinical reviews. doi 10.3390/nu18132141 · PMC9967593
It reduces Oxidative stress.
A water-phase reducing agent. Carried by the intermediary-metabolism, micronutrient and clinical reviews. doi 10.3390/nu18132141 · PMC9967593
It increases Resists infection.
Prophylaxis does not reduce incidence in normal populations; it reduces duration and severity, with a 50 percent incidence reduction only under extreme physical stress. Carried by the intermediary-metabolism, micronutrient and clinical reviews (PMC9967593; doi 10.3390/nu18132141; PMC12673670; doi 10.1016/j.molmet.2023.101755). REFUTED ON A SECOND READING. This link was shown by linked steps until a source was opened that does not support it: “The lack of effect of prophylactic vitamin C supplementation on the incidence of common cold in normal populations throws doubt on the utility of this wide practice. || But a subgroup of six studies of marathon runners, skiers, and soldiers exposed to significant cold and/or physical stress experienced, on average, 50% reduction in common cold incidence” — Vitamin C for Preventing and Treating the Common Cold. PLoS Medicine, 2005, 2(6), e168. doi 10.3390/nu18132141 · PMID 15971944 · PMC9967593
It increases Vitamin E status.
Ascorbate regenerates oxidized tocopherol at the membrane surface. Carried by the intermediary-metabolism, micronutrient and clinical reviews. doi 10.3390/nu18132141 · PMC9967593
Blends that modulate it
Each blend page names this pathway and carries the study behind its claim.
See it on the map
Open the causal map to follow this pathway upstream and downstream, arrow by arrow, each with its study.