REQUIREMENTS FOR VITAMIN C IN MAN

Abstract
At least 0.8 mgm. of ascorbic acid per kgm. of body wt. is used daily by healthy subjects saturated with this vit. Smaller amts. maintain a lower conc. in the body stores. To protect against scurvy, 0.4 mgm. per kgm. or even less per day appear to be sufficient. Abnormally high requirements are observed in patients with active tuberculosis, but they are not specific for this disease. Requirements have been found to be increased to some extent in patients with peptic ulcer. A comparatively simple method for rough estimation of daily requirements is proposed.