Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Muhammad Abdullah, Radia T. Jamil, Fibi N. Attia, Muhammad Abdullah, Radia T. Jamil, Fibi N. Attia
Excerpt
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, antioxidant, and essential co-factor for collagen biosynthesis, carnitine and catecholamine metabolism, and dietary iron absorption. Humans are unable to synthesize vitamin C, so it is strictly obtained through the dietary intake of fruits and vegetables. Citrus fruits, berries, tomatoes, potatoes, and green leafy vegetables are excellent sources of vitamin C. Although most vitamin C is completely absorbed in the small intestine, the percentage of absorbed vitamin C decreases as intraluminal concentrations increase. Proline residues on procollagen require vitamin C for hydroxylation, making it necessary for the triple-helix formation of mature collagen. The lack of a stable triple-helical structure compromises the integrity of the skin, mucous membranes, blood vessels, and bone. Consequently, a deficiency in vitamin C results in scurvy, which presents with hemorrhage, hyperkeratosis, and hematological abnormalities. This activity outlines the indications, mechanism of action, methods of administration, significant adverse effects, contraindications, and monitoring, of vitamin C so providers can direct patient therapy in treatment or supplementation where it is indicated as part of the interprofessional team.
Conflict of interest statement
Disclosure: Muhammad Abdullah declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.
Disclosure: Radia Jamil declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.
Disclosure: Fibi Attia declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.
Copyright © 2024, StatPearls Publishing LLC.
References
- Fenech M, Amaya I, Valpuesta V, Botella MA. Vitamin C Content in Fruits: Biosynthesis and Regulation. Front Plant Sci. 2018;9:2006.
- Khalife R, Grieco A, Khamisa K, Tinmouh A, McCudden C, Saidenberg E. Scurvy, an old story in a new time: The hematologist's experience. Blood Cells Mol Dis. 2019 May;76:40-44.
- Blaszczak W, Barczak W, Masternak J, Kopczyński P, Zhitkovich A, Rubiś B. Vitamin C as a Modulator of the Response to Cancer Therapy. Molecules. 2019 Jan 28;24(3)
- Ashor AW, Brown R, Keenan PD, Willis ND, Siervo M, Mathers JC. Limited evidence for a beneficial effect of vitamin C supplementation on biomarkers of cardiovascular diseases: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Nutr Res. 2019 Jan;61:1-12.
- de Carvalho Melo-Cavalcante AA, da Rocha Sousa L, Alencar MVOB, de Oliveira Santos JV, da Mata AMO, Paz MFCJ, de Carvalho RM, Nunes NMF, Islam MT, Mendes AN, Gonçalves JCR, da Silva FCC, Ferreira PMP, de Castro E Sousaa JM. Retinol palmitate and ascorbic acid: Role in oncological prevention and therapy. Biomed Pharmacother. 2019 Jan;109:1394-1405.
- Zhan X, Zhu Z, Sun DW. Effects of pretreatments on quality attributes of long-term deep frozen storage of vegetables: a review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2019;59(5):743-757.
- Langlois PL, Manzanares W, Adhikari NKJ, Lamontagne F, Stoppe C, Hill A, Heyland DK. Vitamin C Administration to the Critically Ill: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2019 Mar;43(3):335-346.
- González-Fuentes J, Selva J, Moya C, Castro-Vázquez L, Lozano MV, Marcos P, Plaza-Oliver M, Rodríguez-Robledo V, Santander-Ortega MJ, Villaseca-González N, Arroyo-Jimenez MM. Neuroprotective Natural Molecules, From Food to Brain. Front Neurosci. 2018;12:721.
Source: PubMed