Vitamin C and alcohol: a call to action

Plasma Vitamin C Levels: Risk Factors for Deficiency and Association with Self-Reported Functional Health in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer-Norfolk

“…This is contrast to a previous study which showed an association between excessive alcohol intake and scurvy [29]. A recent review [11] has called for future RCTs to examine vitamin C supplementation in excessive drinkers, which would robustly test this intervention.…”

“…While adult reports of scurvy are very rare in developed nations, 7.1% of a representative sample of the US population were described as having a vitamin C deficiency (<11.4 µmol/L) [7] and other studies define a deficiency as <11 µmol/L [8,9]. Further still, other studies have examined marginal vitamin C deficiency defined as either 11–40 µmol/L [10] or ≥11–28 µmol/L [9,11], where one-fifth of a deprived population, from the United Kingdom, had a suboptimal level of vitamin C [8].…”

Overblown claims

“…If our world views had not embraced the rapidly growing stream of new findings and insights during the recent centuries and decades, we would still not be able to prevent scurvy by ensuring adequate vitamin C intake. A concise review of case reports finding scurvy in at-risk alcoholics in this Journal 3 reminds us of the practical importance of such seemingly obvious, but still important science facts. Previously presented overblown claims of benefits from megadose vitamin C supplementation for everybody should not obscure the fact that dangerous nutrition deficiencies are still with us, particularly in at-risk individuals and food-insecure populations.…”

Images of the month 1: ‘The scurvy’ – diagnosis by gestalt

“…It is encountered mostly in children, the elderly and those with substance use disorders. 2 Additionally, up to 25% of adults from low socioeconomic backgrounds have suboptimal plasma vitamin C levels, usually reflecting poor diet. 3…”