How does Vitamin C keep our bodies from turning into mush?

Chemistry For Your Life

#189

In this episode, Melissa and Jam delve into the crucial role of Vitamin C in the body, focusing on its importance for collagen production. They discuss how collagen, a key structural protein found in tendons, cartilage, bones, teeth, skin, and blood vessels, relies on Vitamin C to form strong, functional structures. The conversation explores the process of how Vitamin C enables enzymes to add essential alcohol groups to collagen strands, allowing them to twist into strong triple helices, which then form a robust matrix in the body. The hosts also touch upon the connection between Vitamin C deficiency and scurvy, and tease further exploration of Vitamin C's role in the immune system and as a preservative in future episodes. The episode is dedicated to new community member Jesse, and acknowledges listener Nicole B. for inspiring the topic.

00:00 Introduction to Vitamin C Myths
00:13 Exploring Vitamin C in Skincare and Food Preservation
00:32 Vitamin C and Pets: A Curious Case
00:45 Diving into Scurvy and Vitamin C
01:28 Podcast Introduction and Dedication
01:38 Special Announcements and Episode Structure
06:02 The Chemistry of Collagen
10:27 Understanding Collagen Structure
13:30 The Role of Intermolecular Forces
18:02 Connecting Vitamin C to Collagen Formation
19:57 The Role of Hydroxylase in Collagen Formation
20:42 Vitamin C: The Essential Co-Factor
23:10 The Consequences of Vitamin C Deficiency
23:31 Debating Collagen Supplements
32:50 The Historical Struggle with Scurvy
37:53 Conclusion and Listener Engagement

References from this episode:

1. Biochemistry, 4th edition Garrett & Grisham
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18505499/
3. https://youtu.be/3e2JYMNS_W4?t=477s
4. https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2019/ob/c9ob01646e
5. https://thispodcastwillkillyou.com/2019/02/05/episode-19-scurvy-thanks-a-lot-evolution/

We want to give a special thanks to Bri McAllister for illustrating molecules for some episodes! Please go check out Bri’s art, follow and support her at entr0pic.artstation.com and @McAllisterBri on twitter!

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