*2.1.2 Age and gender*

The RDA in the US and Canada among infants is 40–50 mg/day but falls rapidly to only about 15 mg/day at age 2–3 years before rising to about 75 mg/day in males and 65 mg/day in females after puberty and reaching its normal value in adults [5]. The reason behind the high RDA in neonates and infants is probably due to

*Vitamin C Dosage in Health and Disease DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.109657*

the numerous developmental processes they pass through. These processes might be associated with oxidative stress, requiring some antioxidant boost. Most of the vitamin C comes from the breast milk of the mother and other highly supplemented vitamin C-rich food items [8].

Lower vitamin C plasma levels have also been reported among the elderly in several studies [18–20], thereby increasing the RDA to a higher value in that age group. The lower doses required in women are attributed to their lower body mass compared to men [21]. The same reason applies to the difference in RDA between adults and children [7].
