Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin found in fruits and vegetables. It is required for collagen synthesis and wound healing, iron absorption, and immune function. A deficiency of vitamin C can lead to scurvy, causing symptoms like fatigue, bleeding gums, and poor wound healing. While vitamin C has antioxidant properties and may help prevent certain diseases, high doses can cause side effects like diarrhea and increase risk of kidney stones in some individuals.

1. Vitamin
C
aka
Ascorbic
acid
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2. THE NAME
Ascorbic acid.
The name is derived from a- (meaning "no")
and scorbutus (scurvy), the disease caused by
a deficiency of vitamin C.
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3. The chemistry
L-Ascorbic acid (AscH2, vitamin C)
 Water-soluble ketolactone with two
ionizable hydroxyl groups.
 Reduced to ascorbate radical(Asc) and
dehydroascorbic acid(DHA).
 Oxidized to Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).
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4. Sources
• Citrus fruits(Orange, lemon etc.) and
black currants are the richest.
• Others are tomato, potato, green
chilies, cabbage and other vegetables.
• Human milk is richer in Vitamin C(25-
50mg/L) than cow's milk.
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5. KINETICS
• Nearly completely absorbed from g.i.t.
• Widely distributed extra and
intracellularly.
60mg/day results in 0.8mg/dl in plasma &
1.5g in the body as a whole.
Maximum storage is 2.5gm, partially oxidized
to active (dehydro ascorbic acid) and inactive
(oxalic acid) metabolites.
• Excreted in urine with higher intakes
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6. WHAT FOR?
• Required for biosynthesis of collagen (aka
wound healing), L-carnitine and certain
neurotransmitters
• Improves the absorption
of iron(nonheme) present in plant based
foods
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7. Role in immunity
• As an antioxidant and its role in immune
function, vitamin C has been promoted as a
means to help prevent and/or treat
numerous health conditions.
• They are like cancer (including prevention
and treatment), cardiovascular disease,
age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
and cataracts, and the common cold.
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8. The deficiency
• Scurvy
Acute deficiency(below about 10 mg/day) for
weeks may lead to this condition.
Manifestations are fatigue, bleeding
gums, red or purple spots on the skin, joint
pain, poor wound healing, depression,
sometimes leads to anemia and also fatal if
left untreated.
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9. NEGATIVE SIDE
• Common complaints are diarrhea, nausea,
abdominal cramps, and other
gastrointestinal disturbances.
• Possible increase in urinary oxalate and uric
acid excretion, leading to the formation of
kidney stones, especially in individuals with
renal disorders.
• Individuals with hereditary
hemochromatosis, chronic consumption of
high doses of vitamin C could exacerbate
iron overload and result in tissue damage.
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10. References
• British National Formulary 80th Edition
• Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, KD
Tripathi, Seventh Edition
• https://www.nih.gov/
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11. BE HEALTHY
& STAY SAFE
THANK YOU
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