Smokers require 35 mg more vitamin C per day than nonsmokers, due partly to increased oxidative stress.
Secondhand smoke also decreases vitamin C levels.
RDAs for vitamin C are as follows:
- Age 0-6 months: 40 mg
- Age 7-12 months: 50 mg
- Age 1-3 years: 15 mg
- Age 4-8 years: 25 mg
- Age 9-13 years: 45 mg
- Age 14-18 years: 75 mg in men, 65 mg in women (80 mg in pregnant women, 115 mg in lactating women)
- Age 19 years and older: 90 mg in men, 75 mg in women (85 mg in pregnant women, 120 mg in lactating women)
Because oxidative stress may contribute to the etiology of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts, vitamin C and other antioxidants may play a role in treatment.
Some studies have shown that high dietary vitamin C intake has been associated with a lower risk for cataract formation and decreased AMD progression.
Infantile scurvy is uncommon before age 7 months, and clinical and radiographic manifestations rarely occur in infants younger than 3 months.
Early clinical manifestations consist of pallor, irritability, and poor weight gain.
