Vitamin C Organic compound Ascorbic Acid Dehydroascorbic acid

Vitamin C § Organic compound § Ascorbic Acid Dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) § Water-soluble vitamin § In food we eat, but our body can not make it.

Function of Vitamin C § Vitamin C is required for the growth and repair of tissue. § Is necessary to form collagen. § Prevents scurvy. § Acts as antioxidant. § Reduce formation of nitrosamines. § Vitamin C assists in the synthesis of DNA. Neurotransmitter – serotonin Hormone - thyroxine § Vitamin C enhances the absorption of iron.

What Happens If We Don’t Consume Enough Vitamin C? § Hemorrhage – is a major symptom § Disease scurvy Bleeding gums and joints Loose teeth Weakness Hemorrhages around the hair follices of the arms and legs Wound that fail to heal Swollen ankles and wrists Bone pain and fractures Diarrhea Depression § Anemia

What Happens If We Consume Too Much Vitamin C? § Excess iron absorption § Diarrhea § Kidney stones

Vitamin C is found in:

Recommended amounts of vitamin C: Infants and Children § § § 0 - 6 months: 40 milligrams/day (mg/day) 7 - 12 months: 50 mg/day 1 - 3 years: 15 mg/day 4 - 8 years: 25 mg/day 9 - 13 years: 45 mg/day

Recommended Amounts Of vitamin C: Adolescents § Girls 14 - 18 years: 65 mg/day § Boys 14 - 18 years: 75 mg/day Adults § Men age 19 and older: 90 mg/day § Women age 19 year and older: 75 mg/day

Special Considerations § Individuals who smoke require an additional 35 mg/d of vitamin C over that needed by nonsmokers § Nonsmokers regularly exposed to tobacco smoke are encouraged to ensure they meet the RDA for vitamin C.

Vitamin C Content of Common Food Items §Fresh orange 1 medium 79 §Green pepper, raw 1 medium 64 §Grapefruit ½ medium 42 §Strawberries ½ cup 42 §Broccoli, raw ½ cup 41 §Cantaloupe ½ cup 34 §Potato w/skin, baked 1 medium 26 §Tomato, raw 1 medium 23 §Spinach, cooked ½ cup 9

Interesting Facts §Cooked vegetables contains more of vitamin C than raw vegetables §Kiwis and papayas are twice as rich in vitamin C than oranges §It is also an alkaline solution that can be used as a photographic developing agent.

References Health Guide. Vitamin C. The New York Times. 3 Nov. 2009. http: //health. nytimes. com/health/guides/nutrition/vitaminc/overview. html Lorvick, Linda. Medline Plus: Vitamin C. A. D. M. A. Inc. 29 Oct. 2009. http: //www. nlm. nih. gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002404. htm Mosure, Jackie. Department of Human Nutrition and OSU Extension: Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). Nov. 2004. http: //ohioline. osu. edu/hyg-fact/5000/5552. html Thomson, Janice. Nutrients Involved in Antioxidant Function: Vitamin C. Perarson Education. Inc. 2009