Raising Vitamin C RDA May Reduce Aging-Related Diseases

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of vitamin C has traditionally been based on the prevention of the vitamin C deficiency disease, scurvy. A number of previously published studies have suggested that higher intakes of vitamin C may exert additional health benefits. Balz Frei, from Oregon State University (Oregon, USA), and colleagues urge that compelling evidence exists the RDA of vitamin C should be raised to 200 milligrams per day for adults, up from its current levels in the United States of 75 milligrams for women and 90 for men. The researchers submit that it is appropriate to seek optimum levels that will saturate cells and tissues, pose no risk, and may have significant effects on public health at almost no expense – about a penny a day if taken as a dietary supplement.  Writing that: “vitamin C acts as a biological antioxidant that can lower elevated levels of oxidative stress, which also may contribute to chronic disease prevention,” the study authors submit that: “[an] optimum dietary intake of vitamin C [yields]  potential health benefits with the least risk of inadequacy or adverse health effects.”