Ascorbic Acid Nutriture in the Human II. Content of Ascorbic Acid in the White Cells and Sera of Subjects Receiving Controlled Low Intakes of the Vitamin

Abstract

Thirteen adults (10 men and three women) were given a diet low in ascorbic acid for 78 days. After 38 to 42 days, when the subjects had been partially depleted of the vitamin, they were given enough pure ascorbic acid so each subject had in succession, three levels of intake, 20, 30 and 40 mg. The ascorbic acid content of their white cells and sera was determined at frequent intervals. When the intake of ascorbic acid was 40 mg per day for 7 to 11 days, the ascorbic acid content of the white cells and sera showed a significant increase over that amount found when the subjects were given an intake of 30 mg for 11 to 14 days. There was some evidence that level of ascorbic acid nutriture affected the response to the varying amounts of the vitamin.