Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 1980 Dec;133(6):485-92.

Nutritional aspects of ascorbic acid: uses and abuses

R W Vilter
Review

Nutritional aspects of ascorbic acid: uses and abuses

R W Vilter. West J Med. 1980 Dec.

Abstract

Ascorbic acid in physiological doses is essential for the normal functioning of the human body. Larger doses are required to treat a severe deficiency of vitamin C intake, as in the case of scurvy. Occasionally, massive doses may be required to treat a metabolic defect involving ascorbic acid. There has been some mention of megadose therapy with ascorbic acid for the prevention of colds, the improved healing of wounds and even the treatment of cancer, but no acceptable scientific data have been presented. In fact, in a few instances, such therapy has proved injurious.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

  • Early life nutrition.
    Finn S, Culligan EP, Snelling WJ, Sleator RD. Finn S, et al. Sci Prog. 2018 Oct 1;101(4):332-359. doi: 10.3184/003685018X15360040523721. Epub 2018 Oct 8. Sci Prog. 2018. PMID: 30296969 Free PMC article. Review.
  • Pressure Ulcer and Nutrition.
    Saghaleini SH, Dehghan K, Shadvar K, Sanaie S, Mahmoodpoor A, Ostadi Z. Saghaleini SH, et al. Indian J Crit Care Med. 2018 Apr;22(4):283-289. doi: 10.4103/ijccm.IJCCM_277_17. Indian J Crit Care Med. 2018. PMID: 29743767 Free PMC article. Review.
  • Isolation, Purification and Evaluation of Antibacterial Agents from Aloe vera.
    Lawrence R, Tripathi P, Jeyakumar E. Lawrence R, et al. Braz J Microbiol. 2009 Oct;40(4):906-15. doi: 10.1590/S1517-838220090004000023. Epub 2009 Dec 1. Braz J Microbiol. 2009. PMID: 24031440 Free PMC article.
  • Ascorbic acid and nutrition.
    Margoles MS. Margoles MS. West J Med. 1981 May;134(5):452. West J Med. 1981. PMID: 7257356 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

References

    1. Am J Clin Nutr. 1979 Sep;32(9):1837-41 - PubMed
    1. N Engl J Med. 1976 Mar 4;294(10):559-60 - PubMed
    1. J Biol Chem. 1952 May;196(2):761-7 - PubMed
    1. Br Med J. 1949 Dec 31;2(4643):1501-4 - PubMed
    1. Proc R Soc Med. 1977 Feb;70(2):86-9 - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources