Nonscorbutic effects of vitamin C: biochemical aspects.

There is a certain presumptive evidence for believing than AA has functions other than the simple prevention of classical scurvy; whether these extra-antiscorbutic functions are attributable to AA itself, or to one or more of its metabolites, is not known. Tissue saturation with AA would appear to provide a good insurance against defects in these extra-antiscorbutic areas. ttissue saturation is attainable by a daily intake of 100-150 mg in man; there are no compelling reasons for using megadoses of AA and the emphasis should be on the avoidance of chronic hypovitaminosis C. There is suggestive evidence that megadoses of AA could be physiologically disadvantageous--particularly with regard to in-utero exposure and in persons exposed to high environmental levels of toxic metals.