Tissue Reserves of Ascorbic Acid in Normal Adults on Three Levels of Intake

Abstract

The ascorbic acid metabolism of normal adults was studied on 3 levels of intake for periods of 6 weeks, followed by resaturation periods. Five subjects received the 70 mg intake, which approximated the National Research Council allowance; 6 subjects received either an intake of 50 mg of ascorbic acid as part of a synthetic diet, or 53 mg, with a basal diet of ordinary foods, 1 subject serving for both experiments; 4 subjects received an intake of 33 mg, which approximated the League of Nations standard allowance. Depletion of tissue stores was slight on the 70 mg allowance, moderate on the allowance of 50 to 53 mg, and fairly marked on the 33 mg intake, without evidence that the maximum depletion had been reached at the end of the 6-week period on this intake.