The excretion of vitamin C in human urine and its dependence on the dietary intake

Abstract

Determined by the titration method in a number of normal individuals, the amount of vitamin C excreted in the urine was surprisingly constant, generally 30 to 33 mgm. per day, or 0.02-0.03 mgm. per cc. of urine, lower in diuresis, and higher in early morning urine. A single very large dose of vitamin C increased the urinary concn. sharply, to reach 8 or 10 times the "normal" in about 3 hrs., within a day or so it returned to the resting level of about 33 mgm. per day, where it remains remarkably steady although the subject may be restricted, for a week or more, to a vitamin C-free diet. The technique described has possible applications for dietetics, for the diagnosis of hy-povitaminosis C in human beings.