Vitamin C
Water soluble
(Ascorbic acid); precursor of coenzyme
Dehydroascorbic acid; active form
(Strong reducing agent)
Deficiency cause bleeding gum's.
Absorption
Absorbed from intestines and passed on through portal to general circulation.
Daily requirements
0-6 months; 40mg/dl
1-12 months; 50mg/dl
Functions
1. Essential for formation of collagen and intercellular substance in capillaries, teeth and bones.
2. Required for absorption of iron.
It reduces ferric iron (fe3+) to ferrous iron (fe2+), better absorbed.
3. Essential for rapid wound healing.
4. Help in formation of connective tissue.
5. Participates in synthesis of steroid hormone in adrenal cortex and corpus luteum
6. Required for synthesis of carnitine (used for weight loss) in liver.
7. Required for tissue respiration (oxidation- reduction phenomenon)
8. Essential for conversion of phenylalanine to tyrosine and for tyrosine oxidation.
(Essential for several brain chemical neurotransmitters).
Clinical manifestation
1. Infantile scurvy (scorbutus);
Poor wound healing
Swollen gums
Bone pain (arm and leg when move)
Petechiae
Hemorrhage occur under skin
Convulsion may occur
Loss of appetite
Swelling in ends of long bones.
2. Scurvy in adults
Loose teeth with spongy bleeding gums
Swollen tender joints/muscle pain
Hemorrhage under skin
Poor wound healing
Generalized weakness
Diagnostic Evaluation
1. History taking and physical examination
2. Vitamin C level in blood
3. Vitamin C level in urine
4. Clinical features
5. X ray of limbs
Vitamin C Toxicity
1gm/day can cause vitamin C toxicity;
Nausea
Abdominal cramps
Diarrhea
Kidney stones
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