Vitamin C - Testing For Ascorbate Levels in The Body

Testing For Ascorbate Levels in The Body

Simple tests use dichlorophenolindophenol, a redox indicator, to measure the levels of vitamin C in the urine and in serum or blood plasma. However these reflect recent dietary intake rather than the level of vitamin C in body stores. Reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography is used for determining the storage levels of vitamin C within lymphocytes and tissue. It has been observed that while serum or blood plasma levels follow the circadian rhythm or short term dietary changes, those within tissues themselves are more stable and give a better view of the availability of ascorbate within the organism. However, very few hospital laboratories are adequately equipped and trained to carry out such detailed analyses, and require samples to be analyzed in specialized laboratories.

Read more about this topic:  Vitamin C

Famous quotes containing the words testing, levels and/or body:

    No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.
    Bible: New Testament, 1 Corinthians 10:13.

    The word which gives the key to the national vice is waste. And people who are wasteful are not wise, neither can they remain young and vigorous. In order to transmute energy to higher and more subtle levels one must first conserve it.
    Henry Miller (1891–1980)

    For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.
    Bible: New Testament, 1 Corinthians 12:12.