Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Homo sapiens ascorbicus, a biochemically corrected robust human mutant.

I Stone

    Medical Hypotheses
    |June 1, 1979
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    Economic costs of obesity and the case for government intervention.

    Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity·2007
    Same author

    [Devic disease: a case report]

    Jornal de pediatria·2003
    Same author

    Living near opencast coal mining sites and children's respiratory health.

    Occupational and environmental medicine·2000
    Same author

    A support group in a retirement home.

    Aging·1985
    Same author

    A new orthomolecular protocol for treating multiple sclerosis and related diseases.

    Medical hypotheses·1982
    Same author

    New hope for multiple sclerosis victims via an improved, inexpensive, orthomolecular, interferon clinical protocol.

    The Australasian nurses journal·1982

    Humans cannot synthesize vitamin C due to a defective GLO gene, leading to hypoascorbemia (scurvy). Supplementing vitamin C to levels produced by other mammals can reverse this genetic defect, improving health and longevity.

    Area of Science:

    • Biochemistry
    • Genetics
    • Human Physiology

    Background:

    • Homo sapiens possess a defective gene for L-gulonolactone oxidase (GLO), preventing endogenous synthesis of ascorbate (vitamin C).
    • This genetic defect results in an "inborn error of carbohydrate metabolism" known as hypoascorbemia, historically recognized as scurvy.
    • Unlike most mammals, humans require exogenous sources of ascorbate to maintain normal physiological functions.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the implications of the defective GLO gene in humans.
    • To evaluate the adequacy of current recommended dietary allowances for ascorbate.
    • To explore the potential health benefits of correcting the human ascorbate synthesis defect.

    Main Methods:

    • Comparative analysis of ascorbate synthesis in humans versus other mammals.

    Related Experiment Videos

  • Assessment of the human GLO gene's functional status.
  • Evaluation of health outcomes in humans with corrected ascorbate levels.

    • Main Results:

    • Humans lack the functional GLO gene, necessitating dietary ascorbate intake.
    • Current recommended daily allowances of ascorbate are insufficient for optimal human health.
    • Elevated ascorbate intake, mimicking mammalian synthesis, demonstrated significant health benefits.

    Conclusions:

    • The human inability to synthesize ascorbate is a significant genetic defect with widespread health consequences.
    • Restoring physiological ascorbate levels through supplementation offers substantial benefits for health maintenance, disease treatment, and anti-aging.
    • Biochemical reversal of this ancient mutation could lead to a more robust human subspecies, Homo sapiens ascorbicus.