Ascorbic Acid, Vit C and Iron together

[Guest guest]

From Nutrition Journal 2004, 3:2 (see

http://www.nutritionj.com/content/3/1/2 for entire article)

Iron supplements: the quick fix with long-term consequences (mentions

quite a bit on Ascorbic Acid/Vit. C)

EO Fisher* and P Naughton*

School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton,

Cockcroft Building, Moulsecoomb, Brighton, U.K

Abstract

Co-supplementation of ferrous salts with vitamin C exacerbates oxidative

stress in the gastrointestinal tract leading to ulceration in healthy

individuals, exacerbation of

chronic gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases and can lead to cancer.

Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) have been ascribed an

important role in oxidative stress.

Redox-active metal ions such as Fe(II) and Cu(I) further activate RONS

and thus perpetuate their damaging effects. Ascorbic acid can exert a

pro-oxidant effect by its interaction with metal ions via a number of

established RONS generating systems which are reviewed here. Further

studies are required to examine the detrimental effects of

nutraceuticals especially in chronic inflammatory conditions which

co-present with

anaemia.