ID 144 - 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.

2.7. Funkcjonowanie układu odpornościowego podczas i po nasilonym wysiłku fizycznym (ID 144)

The claimed effect is “oxidative stress, acts as antioxidant and helps protect the body tissues against potentially damaging effects of free radicals”. The protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage is considered in sections 2.1. and 2.3. of this opinion.
In the context of the proposed wording, the Panel notes that the claimed effect relates to the maintenance of the normal function of the immune system which may be depressed during and after extreme exercise. The Panel assumes that the target population is subjects performing physical exercise.
The Panel considers that the maintenance of a normal function of the immune system during and after extreme physical exercise 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.

3.7. Funkcjonowanie układu odpornościowego podczas i po nasilonym wysiłku fizycznym (ID 144)

Studies on vitamin C supplementation or status on clinical outcomes unrelated to the claimed effect (e.g., macular degeneration, bronchial responsiveness in asthma or antioxidant status) were not considered as pertinent to support the claimed effect.
It is known that under conditions of immune depression, resistance to infections may be reduced, and certain diseases such as common cold may occur more frequently. Most of the human studies presented have investigated the relationship between vitamin C supplementation and the prevention of common cold. Three systematic Cochrane reviews (with meta-analyses) investigating the role of vitamin C supplementation in the prevention, severity of symptoms and treatment of common cold include the vast majority of the single studies provided for this outcome (Douglas et al., 2000 and 2004; Hemila et al., 2007). Most studies indicate that vitamin C supplementation with doses above the dietary reference values fail to reduce the incidence of colds in the normal population However, evidence shows that persons exposed to brief periods of severe physical exercise and/or cold environments benefit in terms of duration and severity of the common cold from regular vitamin C intake above 200mg/d.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of vitamin C and the maintenance of the normal function of the immune system during and after extreme physical exercise.

4.6. Funkcjonowanie układu odpornościowego podczas i po nasilonym wysiłku fizycznym (ID 144)

The Panel considers that the following wordings reflect the scientific evidence: “Vitamin C contributes to maintain the normal function of the immune system during and after intense physical exercise.”

5.2. Funkcjonowanie układu odpornościowego podczas i po nasilonym wysiłku fizycznym (ID 144)

The Panel considers that in order to bear the claim a food should contain at least 200 mg vitamin C to be consumed daily in addition to the usual diet. Such amounts can be easily consumed as part of a balanced diet. The target population is subjects performing intense physical exercise.

Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

Claim to be only used for Foods for sport people under the Dir. 89/398/EEC. The DRA for vit C is 90 mg (M) and 75 mg (F). CEDAP recommendations for sports people: vit C is 1000 mg. Agency guidance for supplements is that products containing >1000 mg of V