Plasma concentrations of ascorbic acid in a cross section of the German population

Abstract

ObjectivesVitamin C deficiency is considered extremely rare in modern industrialized countries. This study was performed to assess vitamin C concentrations in the German population.MethodsAs part of a consultant–patient seminar on nutrition and food intolerances, patients were asked to participate in this study on a voluntary basis. Blood samples were taken for analysis of serum vitamin C concentrations, and all patients were asked to complete a questionnaire. The vitamin C concentration was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography.ResultsOf approximately 300 patients attending the seminar, 188 (62.6%) consented to vitamin C blood sample analysis and 178 (59.3%) answered the questionnaire. The mean vitamin C concentration was 7.98 mg/L (range, 0.50–17.40; reference range, 5–15 mg/L). A low plasma level with vitamin C insufficiency (<5 mg/L) was found in 31 patients (17.4%), and a potential scorbutogenic deficiency (<1.5 mg/L) was found in 6 (3.3%).ConclusionsPotential vitamin C insufficiency and deficiency is common. It is therefore possible, even in modern developed populations, that certain individuals may require a higher intake of vitamin C.

Scurvy

“…2 In developed economies, the prevalence of low vitamin C levels (normal range: 23 to 85 mmol/L) is relatively high, ranging between 17% and 26%. 3,4 However, scurvy is regarded as an uncommon disease, and its features are often not recognized, resulting in delayed treatment and unnecessary investigations. 2 Over a 12-month period, all patients referred to the Department of Haematology at the Nepean Hospitalda 520-bed teaching hospital of The University of Sydney that provides care for approximately 400,000 peopledfor investigation of bleeding disorders with normal platelet counts and prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin times, were tested for serum ascorbic acid levels before commencing vitamin C replacement therapy.…”

“…However, the misconception that scurvy has disappeared is fallacious, and it remains an important public health problem, which has been highlighted by recent cross-sectional, population studies in industrialized nations that show overall prevalence of severe depletion (<11 mmol/L) ranges between 3% and 7%. 3 The prevalence of vitamin C deficiency is higher in smokers, who have up to 3 times the risk and are found in lower socioeconomic groups, with the United Kingdom reporting 26% of men and 16% of women having severe vitamin C deficiencies. 3 The development and implementation of strategies that maintain adequate vitamin C levels have beneficial effects in addition to the elimination of scurvy.…”

“…3 The prevalence of vitamin C deficiency is higher in smokers, who have up to 3 times the risk and are found in lower socioeconomic groups, with the United Kingdom reporting 26% of men and 16% of women having severe vitamin C deficiencies. 3 The development and implementation of strategies that maintain adequate vitamin C levels have beneficial effects in addition to the elimination of scurvy. Vitamin C promotes iron absorption, the benefits of which include a reduction in cases of anemia and improved physical and mental capacity.…”

Witamina C w leczeniu nowotworów i profilaktyce chorób niezakaźnych

“…Światowa Organizacja Zdrowia (WHO) wyznaczyła poziom minimalnego spożycia sumarycznego różnych warzyw i owoców na 400 g dziennie [28], co, analizując zawartość kwasu askorbinowego w tych produktach, powinno zapewnić przyjęcie dawki przynajmniej 200 mg witaminy C (tabela 1). Niestety, standardowa dieta w krajach rozwiniętych nie zawiera odpowiedniej ilości warzyw i owoców, co skutkuje niedoborami dietetycznymi, również witaminy C, a także zwiększonym ryzykiem chorób cywilizacyjnych [50,51]. Brak jednak medycznego uzasadnienia, by niedobory te niwelować przy pomocy suplementów, a nie poprzez zmianę sposobu odżywiania [45,52].…”

Quantification of Iron Release from Native Ferritin and Magnetoferritin Induced by Vitamins B2 and C

“…These single-electron reducing agents are capable of reducing the ferrihydrite mineral core, as well as releasing iron from the ferritin [ 31 , 32 ]. Therefore, to find a possible transformation mechanism, this study focused on vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and vitamin B2 (riboflavin), which are biologically essential molecules capable of reducing ferritin’s mineral core; they are also present in relatively high concentrations in cells [ 33 , 34 ]. The aim was to determine whether both molecules are able to reduce the mineral core of ferritin/MF and release the reduced iron from the particle.…”