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Scientists expose vitamin C's pro-oxidant alter ego

Source: guardian.co.uk Science

Nov 03, 2009

Summary

The antioxidant vitamin C is well know for mopping up free radicals, but it can also create them – with surprising results

If the health foods and supplements industry is to be believed, antioxidants are the panacea of modern times. These miraculous molecules rummage around our bodies scavenging free radicals or "reactive oxygen species" (ROS), dangerously unstable chemicals that damage our DNA and proteins.

Oxidative stress – an excess of ROS – is said to be responsible for many diseases, and perhaps even ageing. Indeed, many of the health benefits of fruit and veg are ascribed to the ability of antioxidants to shield us from oxidative stress.

It might therefore come as a surprise to learn that vitamin C, a well-known antioxidant, has a "pro-oxidant" alter ego that can benefit arteries by increasing the production of ROS. That's the conclusion of new research from the University of Cardiff, recently published in the journal Cardiovascular Research.

The layer of smooth muscle that envelops our arteries is often unable to relax in patients with high blood pressur

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