taken daily without risking negative side effects. The
DRIs are calculated for children, adult men, adult
women, pregnant women, andbreastfeedingwomen.
The IOM has not set RDAs for vitamin C in chil-
dren under one year old because of incomplete scientific
information. Instead, it has set AI levels for this age
group. RDAs and ULs for vitamin C are measured in
milligrams (mg). The RDAs and ULs set by the IOM
are highly controversial. They are set at a level based on
preventing scurvy. Many researchers believe that doses
hundreds of times higher are needed to prevent certain
chronic diseases. They argue that large doses of vitamin
C have minimal side effects and that RDAs and ULs
should be much higher. These researchers suggest of
anywhere from 400–3,000 mg per day for health adults.
The following lit gives the daily RDAs and IAs
and ULs for vitamin C for healthy individuals as
established by the IOM.
children birth–6 months: AI 40 mg; UL not estab-
lished; All vitamin C should come from breast milk,
fortified formula, or food.children 7–12 months: AI 50 mg; UL not established;
All vitamin C should come from breast milk, forti-
fied formula, or food.
children 1–3 years: RDA 15 mg; UL 400 mg
children 4–8 years: RDA 25 mg; UL 650 mg
children 9–13 years: RDA 45 mg; UL 1,200 mg
boys 14–18 years: RDA 75 mg; UL 1,800 mg
girls 14–18 years: RDA 65 mg; UL 1,800 mg
men age 19 and older: RDA 90 mg; UL 2,000 mg
women age 19 and older: RDA 75 mg; UL 2,000 mg
men who smoke: RDA 125 mg; UL 2,000 mg
women who smoke: RDA 110 mg; UL 2,000 mg
pregnant women 18 years and younger: RDA 80 mg;
UL 1,800 mg
pregnant women 19 years and older: RDA 85 mg;
UL 2,000 mg
breastfeeding women 19 years and older: RDA 120
mg; 2,000 mgKEY TERMS
Alzheimer’s disease—An incurable disease of older
individuals that results in the destruction of nerve
cells in the brain and causes gradual loss of mental
and physical functions.
Antioxidant—A molecule that prevents oxidation. In
the body antioxidants attach to other molecules
called free radicals and prevent the free radicals
from causing damage to cell walls, DNA, and other
parts of the cell.
Coenzyme—Also called a cofactor, a small non-pro-
tein molecule that binds to an enzyme and helps
regulate enzyme-mediated reactions.
Collagen—A long fiber-like protein found in skin,
bones, blood vessels, and connective tissue such as
tendons and ligaments.
Conventional medicine—Mainstream or Western
pharmaceutical-based medicine practiced by medi-
cal doctors, doctors of osteopathy, and other licensed
health care professionals.
Dietary supplement—A product, such as a vitamin,
mineral, herb, amino acid, or enzyme, that is
intended to be consumed in addition to an individ-
ual’s diet with the expectation that it will improve
health.Enzyme—A protein that change the rate of a chem-
ical reaction within the body without themselves
being used up in the reaction.
Neurotransmitter—One of a group of chemicals
secreted by a nerve cell (neuron) to carry a chemical
message to another nerve cell, often as a way of
transmitting a nerve impulse. Examples of neuro-
transmitters include acetylcholine, dopamine, sero-
tonin, and norepinephrine.
Osteoporosis—A condition found in older individu-
als in which bones decrease in density and become
fragile and more likely to break. It can be caused by
lack of vitamin D and/or calcium in the diet.
Placebo—A pill or liquid given during the study of a
drug or dietary supplement that contains no medica-
tion or active ingredient. Usually study participants
do not know if they are receiving a pill containing the
drug or an identical-appearing placebo.
Toxin—A general term for something that harms or
poisons the body.
Vitamin—A nutrient that the body needs in small
amounts to remain healthy but that the body cannot
manufacture for itself and must acquire through diet.
Water-soluble vitamin—A vitamin that dissolves in
water and can be removed from the body in urine.Vitamin C