A new National Institutes of Health (NIH) study has concluded that the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of vitamin C may need to be increased to 90 mg/day for young women. The current RDA, which is 75 mg, was based on data gathered in men. Vitamin C prevents deficiency diseases such as scurvy, but its effects at higher concentrations have been a source of some controversy.

A group of healthy women aged 19 to 27 were evaluated from 158 to 214 days at NIH, during which time they received daily doses of vitamin C that ranged from 30 to 2,500 mg. The researchers found that at doses of 100 to 200 mg, the cells and blood plasma nearly reached their saturation points for vitamin C. Eating five fruits and vegetables daily will provide about 200 mg of vitamin C.

Related information: Nutrition Center - Vitamins