Vitamin C

Outline
• Structure

• Digestion and absorption

• Transport and storage

• Functions and mechanisms of action

• Interactions with medications and other nutrients

• Metabolism and excretion

• Recommended intakes

• Dietary sources

• Deficiency

• Toxicity
 Biosynthesis of Ascorbic Acid
from D-Glucose

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 Digestion and Absorption
• Digestion: None required
• Absorption
• Ascorbic Acid is absorbed by facilitative diffusion
via Na –dependent transporters
• SVCT1 (↑ affinity) & SVCT2 (Sodium-Ascorbate Co-Transporters)
• Absorption occurs throughout the brush border of the small
intestine, especially ileum

• Dehydroascorbic acids (oxidized form) is absorbed

by glucose transporters (GLUT 1&3).
• Diffusion may occur in the stomach and small
intestine (illeum), with higher intakes
• Absorption rate dependent on dose/intake
• 16% at high intakes to 98% at low intakes
• Avg. overall dietary intake of 30-180 mg/day, results in 70-90% abs.
 Transport and Storage
• Transport
• Unbound in blood (free form)
• Plasma levels: 0.4 to 1.7 mg/dL
• Intakes of 100 to 200 mg/day shown to produce plasma
levels of 1.0 mg/dL

• Storage
• Throughout body; higher concentrations in tissues than blood
• Highest in liver and lowest in skeletal muscle
• Intermediate in heart, kidneys, spleen, lungs and
pancreas
• No true storage; can deplete body vitamin C in 1 month
 Functions of Vitamin C

• Collagen synthesis
• Helps form carnitine
• Production of neurotransmitters (dopamine, GABA, etc.)
• Production of serotonin (mood, sleep)
• Release of adrenal hormones (epinephrine cortisol)
• Serves as water-soluble antioxidant
• Increases absorption of iron
• Protection of LDLs from oxidation
 Collagen synthesis.

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 Carnitine synthesis

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 Production of neurotransmitters.

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 Production of serotonin from
tryptophan.

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Antioxidant
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)
• Harmful effects of ROS on cells:
• Damage of DNA
• Oxidations of polyunsaturated fatty acids in lipids
(lipid peroxidation)
• Oxidations of amino acids in proteins
• Oxidations inactivates specific enzymes by oxidation of
co-factors
 Other Functions

• Colds
• Conflicting evidence
• Role: enhancing leukocyte function and
histamine production

• Cancer
• Not all studies show protective effects
• Oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach
• in breast cancer risk (20%) [MA]
• Role: Detox. and antioxidant effect
 Other Functions

• Cardiovascular disease
• F&V intake, vit C intake and plasma vit C levels
are associated with decreased risk of CVD
• Role: Free radicle scavenging, cholesterol
metab., monocyte adhesion to endothelium.
• Cataracts & AMD (macular degeneration)
• Oxidative damage to protein in the lens
 Interactions
• Iron
• Most notable interaction: Vitamin C increases non-heme iron absorption by
reducing it Fe 3+ to Fe 2+
• High iron increases oxidation of vitamin C

• Copper
• High vitamin C decreases copper absorption
• High vitamin C decreases oxidative activity of ceruloplasmin

• Chemotherapeutic agents
• High vitamin C can reduce the effectiveness of some chemotherapy drugs
 Metabolism and Excretion
• Through oxidation, hydrolysis and
decarboxylation reactions, ascorbic acid can
converted to a variety of metabolites

• Major pathway for excretion is urine

 Recommended Intakes
• RDA
• Adult females 75 mg
• Adult males 90 mg
• Smokers + 35 mg
 Dietary Sources
• Citrus: Oranges & lemons
• Papaya
• Kiwis
• Strawberries
• Broccoli & cauliflower
• Tomatoes
• Brussels sprouts
• Asparagus
• Rose hips
Sources of Vitamin C
 Deficiency: scurvy
• Scurvy (abnormal bone growth, joint
pain, bleeding gums, and tiny
hemorrhages beneath the skin)
• Individuals at risk
• Most commonly related to poor intake

• Symptoms (4 Hs)
• Hemorrhagic signs (petechiae)
• Hyperkeratosis (thicken) of hair follicles
• Hypochondriasis
• Hematological abnormalities

• Treatment
• Vitamin C
 Toxicity

• Intakes above UL of 2000 mg (2 g)

• Gastrointestinal symptoms
• Adrenal failure
• Reduced fertility and bone growth
• Hemolytic anemia in some population.
• Rebound scurvy– some works demonstrated that prolonged
supplementation of high doses of vitamin C can accelerate its
metabolism or disposal

• Population at risk
• Supplementation
• Pregnant women
• Newborn and fetal tissue