Ascorbic acid is a vitamin soluble in water and its deficiency in human body 
causes scurvy. Its symptoms in adults are gingivitis, susceptibility of blood 
vessels to damage and bleeding, changes in bones and cartilage and retarded 
wound healing. Ascorbic acid is necessary in redox processes taking place in 
cell. It is reversibly oxidized to dehydroascorbic acid and partially 
metabolized to inactive sulphide and oxalic acid, which is expelled in urine. It 
is well absorbed from the digestive system and easily reaches the tissues. 
Healthy organism contains 1.5 g of ascorbic acid and daily requirement for 
ascorbic acid is estimated for 30-100 mg. Ascorbic acid is not synthesized by 
humans, but it is an essential dietary vitamin for the species. Ascorbic acid is 
used in treatment deficiency in daily demand for vitamin C, caused by improper 
diet, poor absorption or cigarette smoking. It is used in large doses in general 
weakness, infectious diseases and during the recovery period. Positive results 
have been obtained after therapy with vitamin C of Mollera-Barlowa disease, 
Schonlein-Henoch disease, Werlhof disease, haemophilia and also in patients with 
stable coronary artery disease. Vitamin C is assumed to be a basic antioxidant, 
although its role in pathological conditions is controversial. However, it seems 
that the complexity of the oxidant-antioxidant system makes the question of 
participation of vitamin C (and other scavengers of free radicals) in 
pathogenesis of diseases still open.