Vitamin C Boosts Stem Cell Research

Posted on January 2, 2009 in Health & Medicine, Holistic Remedies, Recent Studies, Technology

Vitamin C is known for being an antioxidant superhero: it helps cure the common cold, heals wounds, and generally supports immune function. The powerful vitamin could also help adult cells generate embryonic-like stem cells, new research suggests.

The findings, published Dec. 24 in the journal Cell Stem Cell, could help reprogram adult cells. At this point, the researchers said, the process isn’t very efficient. “The low efficiency of the reprogramming process has hampered progress with this technology and is indicative of how little we understand it,” senior study author Duanqing Pei said in a news release.

The researchers also found that Vitamin C aided the process in both human and mouse cells. Pei added that the anti-aging effects of the vitamin could prompt further research into a reversal of the aging process at the cellular level.