ID 136 - Witamina C

PL: Witamina C
EN: Vitamin C
Pdf: vitamin C

Oświadczenie (4)

Oświadczenie (2)

1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika

The food constituent that is the subject of the health claim is vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid, ascorbate), which is a well recognised nutrient and it is measurable in foods by established methods.
Vitamin C occurs naturally in foods. Ascorbic acid and its salts (ascorbates) are the forms authorised for addition to foods and for use in food supplements (Annex II of the Regulation (EC) No 1925/20065 and Annex II of Directive 2002/46/EC6). This evaluation applies to vitamin C naturally present in foods and those forms authorised for addition to foods (Annex II of the Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 and Annex II of Directive 2002/46/EC).
The Panel considers that the food constituent, vitamin C, which is the subject of the health claim, is sufficiently characterised.

2.4. Tworzenie kolagenu (ID 130, 131, 136, 137, 149)

The claimed effects are “structure and function of blood vessels”, “healthy gums”, “healthy skin” and “cofactor for several enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of collagen”.
Collagen is a structural component of several tissues in the body including bones, cartilage, gums, skin, tendons and blood vessels.
The Panel considers that normal collagen formation is beneficial to human health.

3. Naukowe uzasadnienia wpływu na zdrowie człowieka - 

The evidence provided by consensus opinions/reports from authoritative bodies and reviews shows that there is good consensus on the role of vitamin C in the body (Bender, 2003; Garrow et al., 2000; IoM, 2000; NNR, 2004; Sadler et al., 1999; Shils et al., 2006; EVM, 2002). Vitamin C is an electron donor, or reducing agent, and its functions are attributable to this action (Shils et al., 2006). On the one hand, vitamin C acts as a major free-radical scavenger in the body, and as electron donor (and cofactor) for eight human enzymes, three of which participate in the biosynthesis (and cross-linking) of collagen and other components of the connective tissue, two of them are required in the biosynthesis of carnitine, one in tyrosine metabolism and two in the biosynthesis of the catecholamines adrenaline and noradrenaline (which act as neurotransmitters) and in the amidation of peptide hormones.

3.4. Tworzenie kolagenu (ID 130, 131, 136, 137, 149)

Vitamin C is a coenzyme for three different dioxygenase enzymes that catalyse the addition of hydroxyl groups to the amino acids proline and lysine of the collagen molecule to stabilize the triple helix structure. Normal collagen formation is required for the normal structure of many tissues in the body, including bones, cartilage, gums, skin, tendons and blood vessels. Vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) is dominated by clinical signs attributable to impaired collagen synthesis, including bone damage, arthralgia and joint effusions, swollen and friable gums, loss of teeth, perifollicular hyperkeratosis, petechial haemorrhage, erythema and purpura, subcutaneous bleeding, and internal haemorrhage in severe cases of scurvy (Sadler et al., 1999; Shils et al., 2006; IoM, 2000).
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of vitamin C and normal collagen formation.

4.2. Tworzenie kolagenu (ID 130, 131, 136, 137, 149)

The Panel considers that the following wordings reflect the scientific evidence: “Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation and the normal function of bones, teeth, cartilage, gums, skin and blood vessels.”

5.1. Ochrona DNA, białek i lipidów przed uszkodzeniem oksydacyjnym (ID 129, 138, 143, 148), tworzenie kolagenu (ID 130, 131, 136, 137, 149), funkcjonowanie układu nerwowego (ID 133), wchłanianie żelaza niehemowego (ID 132), funkcjonowanie układu odpornościowego (ID 134), and metabolizm energetyczny (ID 135)

The Panel considers that in order to bear the claims a food should be at least a source of vitamin C as per Annex to Regulation 1924/2006. Such amounts can be easily consumed as part of a balanced diet. The target population is the general population.

Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

Guidance level is 1000mg/day or less. Agency guidance for supplements is that products containing >1000mg of clacium should carry the label advisory statement "may cause mild stomach upset in sensitive individuals." Must meet minimum requirements for us