Asra Raouf

Roll no:03

VITAMIN C
Vitamin C:
 Water soluble versatile vitamin.
 Chemically, it is known as ASCORBIC
ACID (active form).
 70% of Ascorbic acid is lost during
cooking.
 Most plants and animals synthesize
vitamin C from glucose but human being
cannot due to the deficiency of enzyme
known as L-gluconolactone oxidase.
 Rapidly absorbed in intestines.
 Not stored in body.
 Excreted in urine.
Recommended Dietary
Allowance(RDA):

Age group: RDA:

Male (19+) 90 mg / day
Female (19+) 75 mg / day
During pregnancy 85 mg / day

During lactation 120 mg / day

Smoking Additional 35 mg
Sources:
 Citrus fruits, guava, green vegetables,
tomatoes, potatoes are rich sources of
vitamin c.
 Milk is the poor source of vitamin c.
Functions:
Collagen synthesis: Act as a co-enzyme in
hydroxylation of proline and
lysine while protocollagen is
converted into collagen.

Antioxidant: Prevent free radicles to damage

DNA.

Synthesis of Adrenal gland possess high levels

corticosteroid of ascorbic acid, particularly in
Hormones: period of stress.

Cataract formation Vitamin C reduces the risk of

cataract formation.

Nervous System: Norepinephrine synthesis.

Convert tryptophan to serotonin
(most important neurotransmitter)
Immunological • Vit C enhances the synthesis of
function: antibodies.
• Increase the phagocytic action pf
leukocytes.

Prevention from • As an antioxidant, it reduces the risk of cancer,

chronic diseases: cataract and coronary heart disease.

Other functions: • Aids in iron absorption.

• Activates folic acid.
• Aids in drug metabolism and elimination.
• Facilitates bile formation.
• Help in wound healing.
• Blood formation
• Healthy teeth and gums
• Act as a co-enzyme in hydroxylation reactions.
Deficiency:
 Scurvy:
1) Dietary deficiency
of Vitamin C.
2) it occurs when u
do not take enough
vitamin C for at least 3
months.
Symptoms:
 Swollen, bleeding gums (sometimes teeth
can fall out) 
 Develop red or blue spots on the skin
 Skin that bruises easily.
 Swollen joints.
 Fatigue
 Microcytic anemia (due to decreased
absorption of iron)
 Fragile blood vessels.
Risk factors:
 Alcoholism
 Babies only fed cow's milk
 Seniors only consuming tea and toast diet
 Poor people who are not able to afford
fruits and vegetables
 Smokers
 Individuals with eating disorders
 Type 1 diabetes who have high vitamin C
requirements
 Individuals with disorders of the GI tract
like inflammatory bowel disease.
 Individuals with iron overload, which leads
to wasting of vitamin C by the kidneys
 Individuals with restrictive diets, food
allergies
Treatment:
 Increased consumption of vitamin C rich
fruits and vegetables.
 Vitamin C supplements.
Toxicity:
 Vitamin C has low toxicity and is not
believed to cause serious adverse effects
at high intakes.
 The most common complaints are
diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramps, and
other gastrointestinal disturbances due to
the osmotic effect of unabsorbed vitamin C
in the gastrointestinal tract.