A Review of the Nature and Effectiveness of Nutrition Interventions in Adult Males: A Guide for Intervention Strategies

Abstract

Ascorbic acid is one of the important water soluble vitamins. It is essential for collagen, carnitine and neurotransmitters biosynthesis. Most plants and animals synthesize ascorbic acid for their own requirement. However, apes and humans can not synthesize ascorbic acid due to lack of an enzyme gulonolactone oxidase. Hence, ascorbic acid has to be supplemented mainly through fruits, vegetables and tablets. The current US recommended daily allowance (RDA) for ascorbic acid ranges between 100-120 mg/per day for adults. Many health benefits have been attributed to ascorbic acid such as antioxidant, anti-atherogenic, anti-carcinogenic, immunomodulator and prevents cold etc. However, lately the health benefits of ascorbic acid has been the subject of debate and controversies viz., Danger of mega doses of ascorbic acid? Does ascorbic acid act as a antioxidant or pro-oxidant ? Does ascorbic acid cause cancer or may interfere with cancer therapy? However, the Panel on dietary antioxidants and related compounds stated that the in vivo data do not clearly show a relationship between excess ascorbic acid intake and kidney stone formation, pro-oxidant effects, excess iron absorption. A number of clinical and epidemiological studies on anti-carcinogenic effects of ascorbic acid in humans did not show any conclusive beneficial effects on various types of cancer except gastric cancer. Recently, a few derivatives of ascorbic acid were tested on cancer cells, among them ascorbic acid esters showed promising anticancer activity compared to ascorbic acid. Ascorbyl stearate was found to inhibit proliferation of human cancer cells by interfering with cell cycle progression, induced apoptosis by modulation of signal transduction pathways. However, more mechanistic and human in vivo studies are needed to understand and elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying the anti-carcinogenic property of ascorbic acid. Thus, though ascorbic acid was discovered in 17 th century, the exact role of this vitamin/nutraceutical in human biology and health is still a mystery in view of many beneficial claims and controversies. Historical perspectiveThe sea voyager/sailors developed a peculiar disease called scurvy when they were on sea. This was found to be due to eating non-perishable items and lack of fresh fruits and vegetables in their diet. A British naval Physician, Lind [1] documented that there was some substance in citrus fruits that can cure scurvy. He developed a method to concentrate and preserve citrus juice for use by sailors. British Navy was given a daily ration of lime or lemon juice to overcome ascorbic acid deficiency. Ascorbic acid was first isolated from natural sources and structurally character-

Vitamin C treatment promotes mesenchymal stem cell sheet formation and tissue regeneration by elevating telomerase activity

“…Furthermore, Vc improved the proliferation ability of PDLSCs without causing a loss in the osteogenic differentiation capacity of the cells. These findings indicate that Vc may delay premature cell aging and inactivity, in addition to inducing cell sheet formation (Massip et al, 2010), inhibiting/repairing oxidative DNA damage, and preventing low-density lipoprotein oxidation by scavenging the reactive free radicals/oxidative species generated by various biological processes, as previously reported (Fraga et al, 1991;Halliwell, 2001;Naidu, 2003;Ji et al, 2010).…”

Review on nutritional composition of orange‐fleshed sweet potato and its role in management of vitamin A deficiency

“…Adult men and women require 90 and 75 mg of the Vit. C as the RDA, respectively (Naidu, 2003). Grace et al (2014) reported (Table 3) Vit.…”

Efficacy of Ascorbic Acid, N‐Acetylcysteine, or Combination of Both on Top of Saline Hydration versus Saline Hydration Alone on Prevention of Contrast‐Induced Nephropathy: A Prospective Randomized Study

“…25 Antioxidant compounds such as NAC and ascorbic acid have been studied in clinical trials with the aim of lowering the occurrence of CIN by scavenging these destructive free oxygen radicals. 26,27 However, their role in increasing renal perfusion may not be sufficient to reverse renal tubular injury. 28 Ascorbic acid is a safe, well-tolerated, and readily available antioxidant, which has been evaluated in several trials in preventing CIN.…”