Vitamin C

# What is vitamin C? Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in our immune system, as cell protection, in collagen synthesis and in the absorption of iron. It supports the production of hormones and messenger substances, influences our mood, ensures good wound healing and healthy blood vessels. Vitamin C is absorbed in the intestine by specific transport proteins. Genetic variations can influence the transporters and the absorption of vitamin C in the body. A vitamin C deficiency manifests itself in frequent infections, fatigue, exhaustion, wound healing disorders, dental problems and depressive moods. ## Examples of foods rich in vitamin C: > ## Good to know > > When eaten raw, fruit and vegetables contain plenty of vitamin C. If eaten daily, the basic requirement (not an increased requirement!) is easily covered. The target is five portions of fruit and vegetables per day, which corresponds to 450 grams of vegetables and 250 grams of fruit per day. # What does genetics have to do with it? We are investigating two genes related to vitamin C metabolism: The SLC23A1 gene (sodium vitamin C transporter 1 gene) carries the blueprint for the protein SVCT1 (sodium vitamin C transporter 1) in the cells. SVCT1 is a transport protein and is responsible for the uptake of vitamin C into the cells in the intestine and organs, among other things. Genetic variations of this gene influence the body's ability to absorb and utilize vitamin C. - Variant rs33972313 of the SLC23A1 gene: The genotypes T/T and T/C show a reduced ability to absorb vitamin C and a reduced vitamin C level in the blood. The consequences are equivalent to a vitamin C deficiency. The C/C genotype shows a normal vitamin C level. - Variant rs11950646 of the SLC23A1 gene: Genotypes A/A and A/G show a reduced absorption capacity for vitamin C and up to 13% lower vitamin C levels in the blood. The consequences are equivalent to a vitamin C deficiency. The SLC23A2 gene (sodium-vitamin C transporter 2 gene) carries the blueprint for the protein SVCT2 (sodium-vitamin C transporter 2) in the cells. SLC23A2 is also a transport protein and is responsible for the uptake of vitamin C into the cells. Genetic variations of this gene influence the body's ability to absorb and utilize vitamin C. - Variant rs6053005 of the SLC23A2 gene: The T/T genotype shows an increased ability to absorb vitamin C and up to 24% higher vitamin C levels in the blood. The genotypes C/T and C/C show a normal vitamin C level. - Variant rs1279683 of the SLC23A2 gene: The genotype G/G shows a reduced absorption capacity for vitamin C and a significantly low vitamin C level in the blood. The consequences can be equated with a vitamin C deficiency. The G/A and A/A genotypes also show low vitamin C levels, although the vitamin C deficiency appears more severe in the G/G genotype.