While many people use the nutritional supplement vitamin C for its multiple health benefits, researchers have discovered that the nutrient can reprogram adult cells into embryonic-like stem cells.
According to a new study published by Cell Press, vitamin C boosts the production of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which offer a potential for regenerative medicine.
Because the regenerating process usually takes a long time, some scientists feel that they have not fully been able to examine the benefits. Researchers indicate the regeneration of cells helps with the aging reversal of the adult cells.
Researchers noticed the cell regeneration boost in both mice and humans when they were given vitamin C.
The studys researchers are optimistic that this new finding about the nutrient will help further other studies in examining the benefits of vitamin C.
“Our results highlight a simple way to improve iPSC generation and provide additional insight into the mechanistic basis of reprogramming,” concludes Dr. Duanqing Pei, the studys author. “It is also of interest that a vitamin with long-suspected anti-aging effects has such a potent influence on reprogramming.”