The Relation of Ascorbic Acid Ingestion to Mineral Metabolism in Children

Abstract

Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and nitrogen retentions in children of preschool age have been studied in relation to ascorbic acid ingestions and retentions during periods when the children were receiving diets which included 1 quart, 3 cups and 1 pint of milk, respectively. The influence of two levels of orange juice ingestion, 60 cc. and 120 cc., also has been considered. Variation in vitamin D as an influencing factor was seemingly ruled out since each child received approximately 3000 U. S. P. units per day. Each child, furthermore, was given a 10-minute exposure to ultra violet light from a mercury quartz lamp and lived in a room equipped with corex glass windows. The time spent out of doors showed no correlation with the retentions. The findings indicate that within the limits of the study: Ascorbic acid ingestions between 2.7 and 12.5 mg. per kilogram have no influence on calcium, phosphorus and magnesium retentions. In the controlled ascorbic acid balance study in which the ascorbic acid retentions were shown to be below the physiologic minimum, there was found to be no appreciable difference in the average retentions of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. Individual differences noted were not related to the ascorbic acid ingestions. There is no apparent relationship between the calcium and phosphorus retentions and the calcium and ascorbic acid of the diet when more than the physiological minimum of either is taken. Ascorbic acid seems to be related to nitrogen metabolism. The average nitrogen retentions at levels of ascorbic acid ingestions below the physiological minimum were found to be lower than when the children were receiving adequate amounts as shown by the ascorbic acid retentions. Ascorbic acid ingestions in excess of the physiologic requirement, however, do not further increase the nitrogen retention. Orange juice per se, at the levels tested, 60 cc. and 120 cc. per day, when given in conjunction with diets containing insofar as is known all the essential constituents in adequate amounts, is without influence on the calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and nitrogen retentions.