Vitamin C load test in elderly subjects.
Ascorbic acid fasting serum levels and levels after a test dose were carried out in a group of elderly subjects: nine men with 70 +/- 6 years and six women 74 +/- 7 years old. They live in the same old folks home and ate similar food. Their ascorbic acid intake was found to be around 20 mg/day. Fasting serum levels found lower values in the women. A load test showed a small increase in the hourly samples, supporting low tissue reserves of the vitamin. Factors such as low intake, absorption, metabolism, body mass and/or excretion of the vitamin in elderly population could explain these results. A marginal vitamin C deficiency is believed to be present in the group and extra ascorbic acid food supply seems to be recommended for these subjects.
Pinto
R M
RM
Division of Nutrition, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto-USP, Brazil.
Unamuno
M do R
Mdo R
Rodrigues
M M
MM
dos Santos
J E
JE
Marchini
J S
JS
de Oliveira
J E
JE
D000368:Aged; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D005215:Fasting / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013997:Time Factors
D001205:Ascorbic Acid