Ascorbic acid absorption in man: influence of divided dose and food

The urinary recovery of ascorbic acid (AA) was examined in 3 subjects when the vitamin was given as a single 1 g dose in solution (control), as divided doses in solution (0.125 g every 15 min. for 8 doses) and as a 1 g solution after eating a meal high in fat content. The divided dose and after-meal treatments produced a significant increase in AA absorption compared to the corresponding control experiment, 72% and 69% increase, respectively. Absorption appears to be delayed and prolonged under the latter conditions. These results are consistent with the suggestion that the vitamin is absorbed by a specialized process at sites high in the small intestine.