Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that is stored in many tissues throughout the body.
Ascorbic acid is the primary dietary form of vitamin C. In most contexts vitamin C, ascorbic acid, and ascorbate are used interchangeably.

• Plays an essential role in:
• Its ability to donate hydrogen atoms from its two hydroxyl (OH) positions to neutralize free radicals categorizes it as antioxidant.
• Reported to have antiviral activity.
• Detoxifies  Heavy metal toxins such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and nickel.
  
  
• Fat Synthesis:
  a) aids in the conversion of cholesterol to bile acids for excretion
  b) is necessary for synthesis of collagen and elastin which maintains strength and elasticity of blood vessels (Collagen -- the "glue" that strengthens many parts of the body, including muscles, blood vessels and internal organs)
  c) decreases free radical oxidation of cholesterol
  d) decreases levels of lipoprotein(a) or Lp(a)
  
  
• Increases:
  a) production of white blood cells (neutrophils, lymphocytes, and natural killer cells)
  b) levels of antibodies IgA, IgG, and IgM
  c) production of interferon
  d) modulates prostaglandin synthesis

• Required for the synthesis of the body's main stress response hormones in the adrenal glands, including epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, and histamine.

• Increases the healing of scars, broken bones, burns, etc.
   

Vitamin C deficiency

The major result of vitamin C deficiency is scurvy. The symptoms of scurvy include bleeding gums, petechiae, ecchymosis, follicular, coiled hairs, hermorrhages, impaired ability to heal from wounds, dry eyes and mouth, joint effusions, muscle weakness, myalgia, fatigue, anemia, anorexia, depression, and kidney disorders. Most of the body's systems and organs are affected by scurvy.

Click here for Vitamin C RDA  table

Vitamin C Forms
Ascorbic acid, calcium ascorbate, magnesium ascorbate, sodium ascorbate, Ester C, ascorbyl palmitate.