Cigarette smokers tend to have lower serum vitamin C levels than nonsmokers. This group is at greater risk for clinical vitamin C deficiency than the general population.
Hypovitamiinosis C was defined as a serum ascorbic acid concentration < 23 µmol/L, with a level < 11 µmol/L associated with a high risk of clinical deficiency.
Risk factors for vitamin C deficiency in a cigarette smoker:
(1) not taking a vitamin supplement with vitamin C
(2) eating less than 15 servings of fruits and vegetables per week
(3) moderate to heavy cigarette smoking (>= 1 pack per day)
Reasons for decreased levels of ascorbic acid:
(1) decreased absorption
(2) poor dietary habits
(3) higher levels of ethanol consumption
(4) higher metabolic turnover
An intake of vitamin C >= 200 mg per day was needed to provide blood levels of ascorbic acid comparable to a nonsmoker taking the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of 60 mg per day.
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