ID 138 - 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.

2.1. Ochrona DNA, białek i lipidów przed uszkodzeniem oksydacyjnym (ID 129, 138, 143, 148)

The claimed effects are “protection of body cells from oxidative damage”, “antioxidant activity/antioxidant”, “antioxidants and aging”, “cell protection from free radical damage” and “antioxidant properties”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
No definition has been provided of what constitutes “aging”, and therefore the Panel cannot evaluate the “anti-aging effects” implied in claim ID 138. Also, it should be noted the difference between the ageing process itself and the increasing risk for specific age-related diseases where oxidative and/or free radical-mediated damage may play a role.
In the context of the proposed wordings, the Panel notes that the claimed effects relate to the protection of body cells form oxidative damage caused by free radicals.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) including several kinds of radicals are generated in biochemical processes (e.g. respiratory chain) and as a consequence of exposure to exogenous factors (e.g. radiation, pollutants). These reactive intermediates damage biologically relevant molecules such as DNA, proteins and lipids if they are not intercepted by the antioxidant network which includes free radical scavengers like antioxidant nutrients.
The Panel considers that protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage 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.

3.1. Ochrona DNA, białek i lipidów przed uszkodzeniem oksydacyjnym (ID 129, 138, 143, 148)

One human intervention study (Engelhart et al., 2002) and one narrative review (Grundman and Delaney, 2002) on the relationship between dietary intake of antioxidants and risk of Alzheimer disease and one cross-sectional study (Ortega et al., 1997) on the association between nutrient intake and cognitive function in the elderly were also presented to support this claim. The Panel considers that these publications are not pertinent to evaluate the claimed effect.
Evidence for in vivo antioxidant functions of ascorbate include the scavenging of reactive oxidants in activated leukocytes, lung and gastric mucosa, and diminished lipid peroxidation as measured by urinary isoprostane excretion (IoM, 2000). According to a recent systematic Cochrane review, the current evidence does not support the use of antioxidant supplements in the general population or in patients with certain diseases (Bjelakovic et al., 2008).
Vitamin C functions physiologically as a water-soluble antioxidant and plays a major role as a free radical scavenger (Sadler et al., 1999; IoM, 2000). Vitamin C is part of the antioxidant defence system, which is a complex network including endogenous antioxidants and dietary antioxidants, antioxidant enzymes, and repair mechanisms, with mutual interactions and synergetic effects among the various components.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of vitamin C and the protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage.

4.1. Ochrona DNA, białek i lipidów przed uszkodzeniem oksydacyjnym (ID 129, 138, 143, 148)

The Panel considers that the following wordings reflect the scientific evidence: “Vitamin C contributes to the protection of cell constituents from oxidative damage.”

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

Must meet minimum requirements for use of the claim "source of [name of vitamin/s] and/or [name of mineral/s]" as per Annex to Regulation 1924/2006. Agency guidance for supplements is that products containing >1000 mg of Vitamin C should carry the label