- Also called ascorbic acid.
- Function
- Antioxidant; also facilitates iron absorption by reducing it to Fe2+ state.
- Pronounce “absorbic” acid.
- Ancillary treatment for methemoglobinemia by reducing Fe3+ to Fe2+.
- Necessary for hydroxylation of proline and lysine in collagen synthesis.
- Necessary for dopamine β-hydroxylase, which converts dopamine to NE.
- Antioxidant; also facilitates iron absorption by reducing it to Fe2+ state.
- Found in fruits and vegetables.
- Deficiency
- Scurvy—swollen gums, bruising, petechiae, hemarthrosis, anemia, poor wound healing, perifollicular and subperiosteal hemorrhages, “corkscrew” hair.
- Weakened immune response.
- Vitamin C deficiency causes sCurvy due to a Collagen synthesis defect.
- Excess
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis (increases calcium absorption?.
- Can ↑ iron toxicity in predisposed individuals by increasing dietary iron absorption (ie, can worsen hereditary hemochromatosis or transfusion-related iron overload).