Vitamin C intake and plasma ascorbic acid concentration in adolescents

Abstract

The relationship between vitamin C intake and status was investigated in a group of adolescents (13–14 years old). Dietary intakes were assessed using a 7 d weighed dietary record method, coupled with the collection of duplicate diets. Vitamin C intakes calculated using food composition tables were compared with values obtained by direct analysis of duplicate diets. Vitamin C status was judged via measurement of plasma ascorbic acid (AA) concentration in blood samples taken after a 12–15 h fast. The relationship between calculated and analysed vitamin C intake and plasma AA concentration was examined. Average daily calculated vitamin C intakes, for the group (n 54) as a whole over a 7 d period, gave a good estimate of intake, as judged by prompt analysis of duplicate diets. However, analysed v. calculated intakes were significantly different for approximately one-third of subjects when data were examined on an individual basis. Large discrepancies between analysed and calculated values could not be accounted for on a food group basis. In all but two individuals, calculated vitamin C intake was in excess of the new reference nutrient intake (RNI, part of the new daily reference values (Department of Health and Social Security, 1991)) of 40 mg and all plasma AA concentrations were well above those used to indicate even a moderate risk of deficiency. A relationship between vitamin C intake and plasma AA was observed for both males (n 19) and females (n 35). However, the relationship was much stronger for males who showed a wider range of both intake and plasma AA values.