C/Lysine Plus 120 caps

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has numerous biologicalfunctions. Foremost, it is essential for the synthesisof collagen and glycosaminoglycans which are thebuilding materials of all connective tissues, such asskin, blood vessels, tendons, joint cartilage and bone.Vitamin C is the required coenzyme for two groupsof enzymes that catalyze the crosslinking of collagenfibers - lysyl hydroxylases and prolyl hydroxylases.As such, vitamin C is essential for normal woundhealing and capillary health. It also participates inthe biosynthesis of carnitine, serotonin, and certainneurotransmitters, including norepinephrine.Vitamin C is among the most powerful antioxidantsin humans and animals. It is a water-soluble, chainbreakingantioxidant that reacts directly withsuperoxide, hydroxyl radicals, and singlet oxygen.Laboratory studies show that vitamin C completelyprotects lipids in plasma and low-density lipoprotein(LDL) against atherogenic peroxidative damage. Inaddition, vitamin C interacts with glutathione andalpha-lipoic acid, and regenerates vitamin E. Theantioxidant functions of vitamin C appear to haveclinical significance in providing protection from freeradical damage to the eyes, lungs, blood and theimmune system.L-Lysine is required for collagen cross-linking.Collagen cross-linking is important for resiliency andelasticity of the collagen and elastin present in allconnective tissues and blood vessel walls. Duringformation of new collagen, fibroblasts secreteimmature collagen strands and a vitamin C- andcopper-requiring enzyme, lysyl oxidase. Lysyloxidase oxidizes the free amino group of theimmature collagen’s lysyl side chains. Once oxidized,these lysyl side chains spontaneously engage invarious reactions between collagen strands to bringabout cross-linking. As a result, a complex networkof collagen strands is formed, providing elasticity andresiliency. L-Lysine has also been shown to beeffective in decreasing the frequency of outbreaks ofpersons already infected with the herpes virus.