Vitamin C

Question 1

How much vitamin C is absorbed from food?

Answer 1

70 to 90%

Question 2

How does vitaminC enter into cells?

Answer 2

Active transport by sodium dependent vitamin C transporter.

Question 3

Explain excretion of vitamin C

Answer 3

Excreted as oxalic acid and 2,3 diketogulonic acid via the kidney half-life10 to 20 days.

Question 4

What is vitamin C function?

Answer 4

As strong reducing agent and antioxidant involved in prevention of the damaging effects free radicals.
Involved in synthesis of collagen, neurotransmitters, carnotine; enzyme cofactor and increases the gastrointestinal absorption of nonheme iron.

Question 5

Does Vitamin C require digestion?

Answer 5

No

Question 6

What factors affect vitamin C losses?

Answer 6

Unstable in alkaline solutions
Light breaks down on exposure
Heat destroys
water-soluble losses in cooking water
Enzymes phenolase causes browning when Polyphenols are exposed to air
Ascorbic acid oxidase released in chopping.