Vitamin C is an essential dietary nutrient for the biosynthesis of collagen and 
a co-factor in the biosynthesis of catecholamines, L-carnitine, cholesterol, 
amino acids, and some peptide hormones. The lack of vitamin C causes scurvy, a 
pathological condition leading to blood vessel fragility and connective tissue 
damage due to failure in producing collagen, and, finally, to death as result of 
a general collapse. Vitamin C is potentially involved also in cancer and 
cardiovascular diseases prevention. In addition, vitamin C effects on nervous 
system and chronically ill patients have been also documented. This review 
attempts to summarize recent and well established advances in vitamin C research 
and its clinical implications. Since vitamin C has the potential to counteract 
inflammation and subsequent oxidative damage that play a major role in the 
initiation and progression of several chronic and acute diseases, it represents 
a practical tool to administer for the early prevention of these pathologic 
conditions.