Vitamin C Prevents Hard Mucus and Dry Mucus Membranes
August 24, 2004
American science points towards Vitamin C being beneficial for those suffering from heavy mucus in the respiratory tract, e.g. asthmatics and others suffering from chronic sinusitis and/or chronic bronchitis.
The doctors from the Research Department at the Childrens Hospital in Oakland have shown that vitamin C is necessary for the formation of the liquid layer on the surface of the mucous membranes necessary for the functioning of the membranes. However, the optimal concentrations of vitamin C are so high that they may only be reached by local treatment of the mucous membranes with vitamin C in a spray form.
The American studies are extremely sophisticated basic research. They concern the so-called CFTR molecule, which is defective in the congenital disease cystic fibrosis, also known as tough mucus disease. CFTR is a molecule that is formed centrally in the cells, but migrates to the surface, where it functions as a transporter of chloride ions, which secondarily draw fluid with it. When the molecule is damaged, the cell surface lacks its fluid layer, and mucus is formed instead.
Studies have shown that vitamin C is necessary for the function of the CFTR molecule on the cell surface. If the mucosa becomes deficient in vitamin C because it is depleted by free oxygen radicals due to smoking or inflammation, the molecule is damaged. As a result, the surface of the cells dries out, and in the airways, thick mucus will form. However, direct surface treatment of the mucous membranes with vitamin C significantly improved the function of the molecule in volunteers.
Based on the studies, it is therefore predicted that local treatment with vitamin C will be able to loosen the tough secretions in the diseases mentioned and thus prevent infections. The researchers also believe that vitamin C should be investigated in the so-called Sjögren’s syndrome, a widespread disease that manifests itself in dry mucous membranes.
The studies provide, for the first time, an explanation for why high doses of vitamin C cause loose stools. The explanation is that the vitamin affects the intestinal mucosa in the same way as other mucous membranes, thus promoting the formation of a liquid layer on the surface.
However, the results cannot be immediately applied to cystic fibrosis. Here, the CFTR molecule is defective in such a way that it does not reach the cell surface at all, where it would otherwise be activated by vitamin C.
By: Vitality Council
Reference:
Fischer H et al.: Vitamin C controls the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator chloride channel. Journal of the National Academy of Sciences 2004;101: 3691–3696.
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