Ascorbic Acid: Part 2

Vitamin, its a word used in society every day. People are always reminding somebody left and right to take there vitamins, but why?? Well vitamin comes from two words, vital and amine, the meaning of each word mean necessary, and the other is an organic compound that contains nitrogen. Therefore all vitamins are necessary for life. Vitamin C, or Ascorbic Acid is needed to survive. Almost all vertebrates produce Ascorbic Acid in the liver. Other creatures that don't need to have vitamin C in their diet. Humans lack the enzyme gulonolactone oxidase, which is the enzyme needed to synthesize Ascorbic acid from Glucose. Those creatures that need Vitamin C in their diet can get it relatively easily. Only a small amount is needed to satisfy that which is required to survive. Vitamin C is so common today that it has branched out and become more useful. Today Ascorbic acid is used as a good preservative. Many see this as bad, but thanks to it, it keeps Clostridium botulinium growing. Clostridium botulinium is the worlds "greatest" poison, and 1 ounce could kill 100 Million people. This fact alone should make people rethink their feelings toward preservatives.