title: Ascorbic acid and erythorbic acid metabolism in nonpregnant women.
abstract: Ascorbic acid (AA) metabolism and requirements were studied in 11 adult nonpregnant women maintained in a metabolic unit and fed a formula diet devoid of AA for 54 d. After depletion for 24 d, the subjects received increasing supplements of AA in the presence or absence of 600 mg/d of erythorbic acid (EA). Various analytical procedures were used to measure AA concentrations in blood components. The depletion period resulted in a marked decrease in AA in all blood indices. During the study scorbutic signs developed in some of the subjects. AA supplements of 30 mg/d for 10 d failed to increase plasma ascorbate concentrations; 60 mg/d for 10 d produced a small increase; 90 mg/d resulted in a mean AA concentration of 29 mumol/L. EA did not present any adverse effects, but rather had a small sparing effect. Vitamin C requirements for adult nonsmoking, nonpregnant women would be marginally met by an intake of 60 mg/d of AA whereas 90 mg/d would provide an allowance for body storage.
authors.affiliation: USDA-Western Human Nutrition Research Center, Presidio of San Francisco, CA.
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Sauberlich
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kretsch
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Skala
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D001206:Ascorbic Acid Deficiency / Q000097:blood; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004032:Diet; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009752:Nutritional Status
chemical_list: C005056:isoascorbic acid; D001205:Ascorbic Acid