The physiological properties of ascorbic acid

Abstract

THE technique of paired feeding has been extensively used in nutritional investigations, particularly in those dealing with amino-acids and with vitamin B1. The advantage of this procedure has been clearly indicated by Mitchell & Beadles [1930]. Its chief merit is that the otherwise variable factor of food consumption may be controlled. It has been known for some years that guinea- pigs, maintained on diets deficient in ascorbic acid, lose appetite, consume less food and diminish in weight. As in the case of vitamin B1 it seemed reasonable that some of the symptoms manifest in these deficient animals might be caused by inanition. An extensive search of the literature has shown that only on one reported occasion has paired feeding been undertaken in studies on ascorbic acid. The present investiga- tion deals with an effect of I-ascorbic acid upon body wt. in paired feeding.