Tag: Gulo gene

Approximately 40 million years ago, a pivotal genetic mutation occurred in our primate ancestors, inactivating a key gene and setting the stage for one of the most significant metabolic differences between humans and most other mammals: our inability to produce vitamin C. This means that for our body to have this vital nutrient, we must consume it through food or supplements.

While the vast majority of mammals can synthesize their own vitamin C internally, humans lost this ability due to an ancient genetic mutation. This biological quirk explains why scurvy was a common and deadly disease among sailors until citrus fruits were introduced as a preventative measure.

Over 61 million years ago, a genetic mutation rendered early primates, the ancestors of modern humans, unable to synthesize their own vitamin C. This is why the human body cannot produce vitamin C and must obtain it from dietary sources, a stark contrast to the majority of animal species that produce it internally.

Unlike most other mammals, humans are among a small group of species that cannot produce their own vitamin C internally. This physiological quirk raises a fundamental question for many: Is vitamin C synthesized by the human body? The answer lies deep within our genetic code and has significant implications for our dietary needs.

The inability of humans to produce our own vitamin C is a metabolic error that affects all of us, a genetic quirk we share with other primates like apes and monkeys. This fundamental biological change prompts the question: when did humans stop synthesizing vitamin C, and what happened as a result?

Most animals, unlike humans, are capable of synthesizing their own vitamin C through a series of enzyme-driven steps. The reason we cannot produce this vital nutrient answers the question, 'Can your body make vitamin C on its own?' and lies in a long-dormant genetic mutation from our evolutionary past.

Remarkably, most mammals on Earth produce their own vitamin C, and the list of those who cannot is very short. This innate ability is the primary way that carnivore animals get vitamin C, avoiding the risk of scurvy that plagues humans and a few other species.

According to genetic studies, the inability of certain animals to produce their own vitamin C is due to a mutation in the GULO gene. This gene encodes the final enzyme in the ascorbic acid biosynthesis pathway, rendering affected species dependent on dietary intake.

The majority of animal species on Earth can synthesize their own vitamin C internally, but humans are a notable exception, along with a few other species. The answer to "is there vitamin C in animals?" is a complex story of evolution, lost genes, and dietary adaptation that varies widely across the animal kingdom.

Approximately 7.1% of people in the United States have a vitamin C deficiency, a condition that stems from our body's inability to produce this vital nutrient. This genetic trait, known as hypoascorbemia, results from a mutation that renders a key enzyme non-functional, making dietary intake essential for survival.