Ascorbic Acid: An Enhancing Factor in Iron Absorption

Author(s):  
ELAINE R. MONSEN
Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 615
Author(s):  
Martin Doseděl ◽  
Eduard Jirkovský ◽  
Kateřina Macáková ◽  
Lenka Krčmová ◽  
Lenka Javorská ◽  
...  

Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) has been known as an antioxidant for most people. However, its physiological role is much larger and encompasses very different processes ranging from facilitation of iron absorption through involvement in hormones and carnitine synthesis for important roles in epigenetic processes. Contrarily, high doses act as a pro-oxidant than an anti-oxidant. This may also be the reason why plasma levels are meticulously regulated on the level of absorption and excretion in the kidney. Interestingly, most cells contain vitamin C in millimolar concentrations, which is much higher than its plasma concentrations, and compared to other vitamins. The role of vitamin C is well demonstrated by miscellaneous symptoms of its absence—scurvy. The only clinically well-documented indication for vitamin C is scurvy. The effects of vitamin C administration on cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and infections are rather minor or even debatable in the general population. Vitamin C is relatively safe, but caution should be given to the administration of high doses, which can cause overt side effects in some susceptible patients (e.g., oxalate renal stones). Lastly, analytical methods for its determination with advantages and pitfalls are also discussed in this review.


1963 ◽  
Vol 204 (1) ◽  
pp. 171-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. S. Ruliffson ◽  
J. M. Hopping

The effects in rats, of age, iron-deficiency anemia, and ascorbic acid, citrate, fluoride, and ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) on enteric radioiron transport were studied in vitro by an everted gut-sac technique. Sacs from young animals transported more than those from older ones. Proximal jejunal sacs from anemic animals transported more than similar sacs from nonanemic rats, but the reverse effect appeared in sacs formed from proximal duodenum. When added to media containing ascorbic acid or citrate, fluoride depressed transport as did anaerobic incubation in the presence of ascorbic acid. Anaerobic incubation in the presence of EDTA appeared to permit elevated transport. Ascorbic acid, citrate, and EDTA all enhanced the level of Fe59 appearing in serosal media. These results appear to agree with previously established in vivo phenomena and tend to validate the in vitro method as one of promise for further studies of factors affecting iron absorption and of the mechanism of iron absorption.


1967 ◽  
Vol 124 (2) ◽  
pp. 577-580 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. E. Rieber ◽  
M. E. Conrad ◽  
W. H. Crosby

1994 ◽  
Vol 59 (6) ◽  
pp. 1381-1385 ◽  
Author(s):  
J R Hunt ◽  
S K Gallagher ◽  
L K Johnson

1974 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 367-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. H. Sayers ◽  
S. R. Lynch ◽  
R. W. Charlton ◽  
T. H. Bothwell ◽  
R. B. Walker ◽  
...  

1. Iron absorption from rice-containing meals was measured by red cell utilization of radioactive Fe in sixty-six volunteer multiparous Indian women.2. In all the studies salt added during the cooking process was used as the carrier for supplemental inorganic Fe and ascorbic acid.3. Intrinsic Fe in the rice and supplementary inorganic Fe were absorbed to the same extent, with a wide range of absorption values.4. There was a striking difference between the mean absorption of a 3 mg dose of ferrous Fe given to fasting subjects in a solution containing 30 mg ascorbic acid and that of Fe in a rice meal (48.7 and 3.5% respectively).5. When ascorbic acid was added during cooking there was a threefold increase in the absorption of both intrinsic Fe and supplementary Fe when a sufficient quantity (60 mg) was present.6. It is concluded that the Fe nutrition of rice-eating communities could be improved significantly by the addition of ascorbic acid to the diet.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1836-1836
Author(s):  
Magalie Sabatier ◽  
Joeska Husny ◽  
Marine Nicolas ◽  
Stèphane Dubascoux ◽  
Mary Bodis ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives The two objectives were 1) to evaluate the solubility of two iron casein complexes (ICCs) under a condition mimicking gastric pH, 2) to evaluate the impact of ascorbic acid (AA) on the in vitro iron absorption of ICCs after incorporation in reconstituted whole milk powder. Methods The in vitro solubility was determined over time after addition of diluted HCl (pH 1.7), ultracentrifugation and measurement of iron appearing in the supernatant by ICP-OES (n = 2). The impact of AA on iron uptake from the Fe compounds in reconstituted milk was determined using the in vitro digestion coupled with the Caco-2 cell model and the measurement of ferritin/total protein produced by the cells (n = 3). The molar ratio of AA to iron of 2 to 1 recommended by the WHO for iron absorption optimization has been tested with an iron level corresponding to 3.3 mg Fe/serving of milk. Ferrous sulfate (FeSO4), the reference compound for iron bioavailability and micronized ferric pyrophosphate (FePP), main salt used for milk fortification were used as references. Results The dissolution test showed a rapid solubilization of iron from the ICCs i.e., >75 ± 19.3% at 5 min and >89 ± 0.3% at 90 min. The kinetics of soluble iron from the complexes were like that from FeSO4. The solubility of FePP was only 37.6 ± 4.7% at 90 min. Without AA, the iron uptake from FeSO4 was lower than expected translating into a relative in vitro bioavailability (iRBA) of FePP and of the two ICCs to FeSO4 of 66, 169 and 215%. This might be explained by a rapid conversion of soluble iron from FeSO4 into Fe3+ and insoluble iron hydroxide when the pH increased from 2 to >7 during in vitro digestion. However, with the addition of AA in the milk, iron uptake by the cells was found to be increased to levels of 341.8 ± 8.9, 124 ± 12.2, 403.1 ± 117.8 and 362.9 ± 36.9 ng ferritin/mg protein for FeSO4, FePP and the two ICCs respectively. This translates into iRBAs to FeSO4 of 36% for FePP and of 118 and 106% for the two ICCs. Conclusions The solubility and the demonstrated impact of AA on Fe uptake suggest that ICCs are absorbed to a similar amount as FeSO4 and thus provide an excellent source of Fe. Funding Sources Société des Produits Nestlé, NPTC Konolfingen, Switzerland.


1990 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 649-655 ◽  
Author(s):  
J R Hunt ◽  
L M Mullen ◽  
G I Lykken ◽  
S K Gallagher ◽  
F H Nielsen

1968 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcel E. Conrad ◽  
Stanley G. Schade

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1978 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 440-441
Author(s):  
J. H. Brock

In their study of iron absorption from human milk, simulated human milk, and proprietary formulas, McMillan et al. (Pediatrics 60:896, December 1977) reported that absorption was less efficient from the simulated human milk than from human milk, despite their "similar content of protein, lactose, fat, calcium, phosphorus, and ascorbic acid." However, the reported phosphorus content of the simulated human milk (23 mEq/liter) was in fact 64% higher than that given for human milk (14 mEq/liter).


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