Vitamin C is the most important water-soluble antioxidant nutrient and is involved in a wide variety of biochemical reactions throughout the body. Humans, unlike most other mammals, cannot manufacture vitamin C, so we must rely on food or nutritional supplements. Vitamin C is stored in tissues throughout the body, and is especially concentrated in the adrenal glands, where it is crucial for the production of adrenal hormones involved in responding to stress.* The body uses vitamin C in immune system functions including white blood cell production, histamine release and degradation, the reduction of glutathione, and the metabolism and protection of several other nutrients.* Vitamin C is involved in detoxifying heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury and nickel.* It is involved in the production of collagen and elastin, important connective tissue proteins.* Vitamin C may also support HDL cholesterol within normal levels, and bone mineral density.