Proliferation of T Lymphocytes

The common cold studies suggest implicitly that vitamin C intake affects the immune system. There are many experimental data indicating that vitamin C has effects on the immune system, but the experimental data have been inconsistent to a large extent (58-61). Although the role of vitamin C in the immune system still is not clear, there are certain effects that may be physiologically relevant. Phagocytes have an enzyme system which produces superoxide, hypochlorite, and other oxidants with the purpose of killing viruses and bacteria. Many of these oxidants may be harmful to the host cells if they are released into the extracellular medium (62,63).