Meet the editor

Dr. Jean Guy LeBlanc has a PhD in Biochemistry (U. Nacional de Tucuman, Argentina) and an MSc and a BSc in Biochemistry (U. Moncton, Canada). He is a principal researcher (CERELA-CON-ICET, Argentina) and postgraduate teacher (Faculty of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy, U. Nacional Tucumán, Argentina). His principal areas of study include the use of lactic acid bacteria to increase bioactive compounds (vitamins, digestive

enzymes, antioxidants, etc.) for the fermentation of foods or as biopharmaceuticals to treat and prevent vitamin deficiencies, inflammatory diseases, and some types of cancer. He has edited 5 books, published 91 peer-reviewed articles and 28 book chapters, and participated in 135 works in scientific meetings.

**Preface III**

Introduction **1**

**Chapter 1 3**

Roles of Vitamin C **5**

**Chapter 2 7**

**Chapter 3 35**

**Chapter 4 51**

*by Philippe Humbert, Loriane Louvrier, Philippe Saas and Céline Viennet*

**Section 1**

**Section 2**

Vitamin C

Introductory Chapter: Vitamin C

Vitamin C: An Epigenetic Regulator

Vitamin C, Aged Skin, Skin Health

*by Fadime Eryılmaz Pehlivan*

*by Jean Guy LeBlanc*

Contents

*by Nermin M. Yussif*

## Contents


Preface

Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is mainly present in fruits and vegetables. The consumption of such foods is important since the human body does not have the ability to produce this essential micronutrient. Because it is water soluble, it can also easily be lost in cooking and long-term storage. Even though the role of vitamin C has been known since the early 1930s, only recently have researchers been actively studying and demonstrating its role and function in the treatment and prevention of many diseases. These studies will be the key to providing the scientific basis that explains why this simple but important vitamin possesses such a wide range of

Authors from different countries (Argentina, Egypt, France, and Turkey) have written four original chapters relevant to vitamin C and many topics are discussed including its sources, chemical structure, metabolism, bioavailability, storage, and its many functions. Some of the latter include the role of vitamin C in the immune system and inflammation, its antioxidant properties, its depigmenting effect, its role in collagen production, and its function in metal and drug absorption, lipid metabolism, bone formation, stress control, and antimicrobial properties, among others. Its many roles in cancer, cardiovascular disease, age-related macular degeneration, and common cold prevention are also well discussed. An overview of its role in skin health and its different mechanisms of actions is described in detail. There is also an interesting chapter that shows the role of vitamin C as an epigenetic regulator because it is an important mediator between genome and environment, as it participates in the demethylation of DNA and histones, epigenome, which could

**Jean Guy LeBlanc**

CERELA-CONICET, San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina

help understand the role of this vitamin in cancer treatments.

positive biological activities.
