• Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin. It is required for the synthesis of collagen, L-carnitine, and neurotransmitters. Vitamin C is also involved in protein metabolism.Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant and has been shown to regenerate other antioxidants such as vitamin E. Vitamin C also plays an important role in immune function and improves the absorption of nonheme iron.Vitamin C cannot be produced by humans but is readily available in many types of food. Citrus fruits are the best known sources of vitamin C, but red and green peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, and other vegetables are also excellent sources.Vitamin C deficiency leads to scurvy. Humans, unlike other animals, are unable to produce vitamin C and therefore depend on dietary sources. Scurvy has been described since ancient times and is best known for its high incidence in sailors. In the 1700s, addition of citrus fruit to the diet of sailors largely cured scurvy in that group, but there were still incidents of “land scurvy” in populations with abnormal diets.The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Ascor (ascorbic acid injection) for the short-term (< 1 wk) treatment of scurvy in adults and children aged 5 months or older for whom oral administration is not possible, is insufficient, or is contraindicated. The exact mechanism of action of ascorbic acid for the treatment of scurvy is unknown. It is believed the administration restores the body pool of ascorbic acid.