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A Study of Plasma Ascorbic Acid Values with Relation to the Type of Diet Used in Puerto Rico by Groups of Individuals of Widely Varied Economic Status

School of Tropical Medicine, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Plasma ascorbic acid determinations have been made for a total of 366 subjects, all citizens or long-time residents of Puerto Rico. These subjects were selected on the basis of seven groups of not less than fifty individuals each according to the income categories: (1) satisfactory income and (2) low income or no income. Information on food eaten the day preceding the examination and on dietary habits, in general, was also obtained.

The data from each of the seven groups were summarized on the basis of ranges for plasma ascorbic acid values usually accepted as indicating (1) severe deficiency of vitamin C, (2) near deficiency, (3) satisfactory nutrition, and (4) good nutrition.

Of the 366 subjects examined, 212 or 57.9%, had plasma ascorbic acid concentration values in the severe deficiency range. The high percentage of values in this range from one of the satisfactory income groups is emphasized as indicating that low income is not the only cause of vitamin C undernutrition.

The information on dietary habits reveals a close correlation between plasma ascorbic acid concentration and the presence of fruits and other vitamin C-rich foods in the diet.

The relation of level of plasma ascorbic acid concentration to deficiency of vitamin C and the requirement of this vitamin is discussed.