vit-c-Ascorbic acid

vit-c-Ascorbic acid

Functions

• Potent antioxidant and also have important role in tissue oxidation
• Needed for the formation of collagen (collagen accounts for 25% of total body protein)
• Vitamin C coverts ferric iron to ferrous iron thus facilitate the absorption of iron from vegetable foods
• Inhibits the formation of nitrosamine by intestinal mucosa

Sources

• Main source-fresh fruit and green leafy vegetables
• Good amount-Germinating pulses
• Trace amount-fresh meat, fish, and cereals.

Source	Amount (mg/100g)
Fruits Amla Guava Lime Orange Tomato Germinated pulses Bengal gram Vegetables Cabbage Amaranth Cauliflower Spinach Brinjal Potatoes Raddish	600 212 63 30 27 16 124 99 56 28 12 17 15

Deficiency-leads to Scurvy

• Swollen and bleeding gums
• Bleeding into skin or joints
• Delayed wound healing
• Weakness
• Anemia
• Subcutaneous bruising

Requirement

Group	Age/category	Amount of vitamin C needed(mg/d)
Man	Sedentary work Moderate work Heavy work	40
Women	Sedentary work Moderate work Heavy work	40
	Pregnant women	60
	Lactation 0-12 months	80
Infants	0-12 months	25
Children	1-9 years	40
Boys & Girls	10-17 years	40