Ask a Scientician

Following up on my post about recommended daily intakes of various vitamins, Janelle requested more information about a specific vitamin. In this case I’m focusing on Vitamin C, also known as ascorbate.

The structure of Vitamin C is seen to the left. It’s similar in structure to some simple sugars. Of course, none of that is really all that useful, it’s the function of Vitamin C that’s of issue here.

The compound is capable of functioning as an antioxidant and a cofactor in the synthesis of endogenous compounds. See Wiki. Again, I’m not a fan of going to Wikipedia as my major source but the information seems to be useful.

Among the important functions is the stabilization of the formation of collagen. Vitamin C deficiency causes the condition known as scurvy, which is an inability of collagen to function properly. Collagen is one of the major supporting macromolecular structures in the body, produced by cells known as fibroblasts. Loss of collagen in scurvy is seen as:

Scurvy leads to the formation of spots on the skin, spongy gums, and bleeding from all mucous membranes. The spots are most abundant on the thighs and legs, and a person with the ailment looks pale, feels depressed, and is partially immobilized. In advanced scurvy there are open, suppurating wounds and loss of teeth.

Humans are not capable of synthesizing the compound, unlike most other living organisms, which is why an exogenous source is necessary.

The recommended daily intake is centered, at least initially, on dosages that are sufficient to prevent scurvy. The US RDA recommends 75 mg (female) and 90 mg (male) of Vitamin C per day with an upper limit of 2000 mg per day. I knew nothing about the controversy surrounding high-dose Vitamin C until just recently. Some scientists are claiming that the RDA is nothing more than a minimal dose to prevent disease, while a larger dose is capable of providing increased antioxidant protection and a host of other good things.

The problem that I see is twofold: One, doses above the 2000 mg/day upper limit are known to cause diahrrea and intestinal problems (some detractors claim this is how you know it’s working) indicating a deviation of the body away from normal homeostasis. Two, For the most part the body will use what it’s given to the extent that it’s needed. Large doses of Vitamin C are likely to be excreted without being used in any way.

It would seem then, that the RDA for Vitamin C is an effective dose to maintain health and avoid one of the more annoying downsides of life as a pirate. It is possible to take doses at 1000% of the RDA and still be within accepted tolerances for daily dosing without side effects.

As always, feel free to chime in with follow-up questions or corrections.