American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 17, 78-82, Copyright © 1965 by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc.

Metabolic Patterns in Preadolescent Children

XV. Ascorbic Acid Intake, Urinary Excretion and Serum Concentration

¹ From Food and Nutrition Research, Texas A and M University, College Station, Texas

During a thirty-six-day study the daily intake and urinary excretion of ascorbic acid were measured in twelve preadolescent girls ranging in age from seven years and ten months to nine years and five months. Diets consisted of foods from plant sources providing two levels of protein, 22.1 and 40.3 gm. per day, supplemented with certain vitamins and minerals to raise intakes to levels recommended by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council. Average daily intakes of ascorbic acid for each six-day period ranged from 65.3 to 71.7 mg. The average daily urinary excretion for the six-day periods ranged from 37.4 to 49.3 per cent of the intake. Generally, as the intake increased or decreased, the amount excreted in the urine increased or decreased. Blood serum levels of ascorbic acid either remained the same or increased after thirty-six days on the controlled diets. Average daily intakes of from 65 to 70 mg. ascorbic acid were adequate to maintain serum levels of around 0.7 mg. per 100 ml. in these preadolescent girls.