title: Determination of optimal vitamin C requirements in humans.
abstract: Although the recommended dietary allowance provides an estimate for vitamin C ingestion in humans, optimal vitamin C requirements are unknown. We define optimal vitamin C requirements operationally based on the following: dose-function relations, availability in the food supply, steady state concentrations in plasma and tissues achieved at each dose of vitamin C, urinary excretion, bioavailability, toxicity, and epidemiologic observations. Optimal vitamin C requirements can be estimated when information is available for at least some of these criteria.
mesh_terms: D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D001682:Biological Availability; D004032:Diet; D006801:Humans; D009751:Nutritional Requirements
chemical_list: D001205:Ascorbic Acid