• 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.
• 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).