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Further comments on the ascorbic acid requirement

T H Jukes

    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
    |October 1, 1975
    PubMed
    Summary

    The US Recommended Daily Allowance for ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is higher than needed to prevent scurvy. Humans may have lost the ability to synthesize vitamin C due to a low requirement, aiding global migration.

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    Area of Science:

    • Biochemistry
    • Human Physiology
    • Nutritional Science

    Background:

    • Recommended Daily Allowances (US RDA) for ascorbic acid (vitamin C) by the FDA exceed levels needed to prevent scurvy.
    • A significant margin exists between scurvy prevention requirements and the US RDA for adults.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To explore the evolutionary implications of ascorbic acid synthesis and requirement in humans.
    • To compare ascorbic acid requirements across species, including rhesus monkeys and humans.

    Main Methods:

    • Comparative analysis of ascorbic acid requirements and synthesis rates in mammals.
    • Review of dietary intake and evolutionary pressures related to vitamin C.

    Main Results:

    • Rhesus monkeys may require higher ascorbic acid levels due to oxidative catabolism.
    • Mammals synthesizing ascorbic acid produce 3-19 g/70 kg per day, suggesting a high requirement for synthesis.
    • Loss of ascorbic acid synthesis in humans implies a low requirement, facilitating adaptation to varied diets.

    Conclusions:

    • The human loss of ascorbic acid synthesis ability suggests a low requirement, which may have conferred a survival advantage.
    • This low requirement could explain humanity's ability to thrive in regions with limited dietary vitamin C sources.

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