Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that is an essential antioxidant and cofactor in many metabolic reactions in the body. It cannot be synthesized by humans and must be obtained through the diet. A deficiency in vitamin C leads to scurvy, characterized by bleeding gums, bruising, poor wound healing, and joint pain. Good food sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits, tomatoes, and leafy greens. The recommended daily intake for adults is 60mg per day.

2. ASCORBIC ACID - VITAMIN C
 water soluble vitamin
Acidic in nature
Is a strong reducing agent
Cannot be synthesized by humans
Present in all tissues as reduced form
Oxidation occurs in presence of copper
Mostly present in retina, thymus and adrenal gland

3. STRUCTURE
• Hexose derivative
• Monosaccharide in structure
• 2 forms
L- ascorbic acid
L-dehydro ascorbic acid
 D-ascorbic acid is biologically inactive

4. FUNCTION
Iron and hem metabolism
Act as cofactor
Bone formation
Formation of norepinephrine

5. FUNCTION
Maturation of erythrocytes
Steroid synthesis
Immunological function
Reduces cataract formation
Antioxidant function

6. FOOD SOURCE
Lemon
Orange
Grapes
Tomatoes
 spinach
RDA
Adults - 60mg/day
pregnancy - 80mg/day

7. DEFICIENCY AND CLINICAL CORRELATION
Occurs due to:
Dietary deficiency-anorexia nervosa
Impaired absorption
Deficiency leads to SCURVY
Normal serum level- 0.3-0.6mg/dl

8. scurvy
• Occurs in case of vitamin C deficiency
Clinical signs
bleeding gums and hemorrhage
small skin discoloration due to ruptured blood vessels
easy bruising,
impaired wound and fracture healing
joint pain
loose and decaying teeth
hyperketatosis of hair follicles
BARLOWS DISEASE-refers to scurvy in infants(below 12 months)

9. TOXICITY OF VITAMIN C
• Rare as excess is excreted in urine
• More than 2000mg may cause iron overload-hemochromatosis
• Excess VITAMIN C CAN CAUSE:
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Hyperoxaluria and kidney stones