The Daily Intake of Ascorbic Acid Required to Maintain Adequate and Optimal Levels of This Vitamin in Blood Plasma

Abstract

The daily intake of ascorbic acid necessary to maintain a blood level of 0.8 mg. ascorbic acid per 100 ml. plasma has been determined for five subjects. This amount was 38–49 mg., 49 mg. and 61 mg., respectively for three women; and 69 mg. and 89 mg. per day for two men, corresponding to intakes of 0.8 to 1.2 mg. per kilogram, averaging 1.0 ± 0.14. In three different subjects, there were measured the intakes of ascorbic acid necessary to maintain tissue saturation as determined by blood plasma levels. These values amounted to 111, 111 and 131 mg., respectively, or 1.7, 1.8 and 2.0 mg. per kilogram body weight.