Vitamin C Status Correlates with Markers of Metabolic and Cognitive Health in 50-Year-Olds: Findings of the CHALICE Cohort Study

Nutrients. 2017 Aug 3;9(8):831. doi: 10.3390/nu9080831.

Abstract

A cohort of 50-year-olds from Canterbury, New Zealand (N = 404), representative of midlife adults, undertook comprehensive health and dietary assessments. Fasting plasma vitamin C concentrations (N = 369) and dietary vitamin C intake (N = 250) were determined. The mean plasma vitamin C concentration was 44.2 µmol/L (95% CI 42.4, 46.0); 62% of the cohort had inadequate plasma vitamin C concentrations (i.e., <50 µmol/L), 13% of the cohort had hypovitaminosis C (i.e., <23 µmol/L), and 2.4% had plasma vitamin C concentrations indicating deficiency (i.e., <11 µmol/L). Men had a lower mean plasma vitamin C concentration than women, and a higher percentage of vitamin C inadequacy and deficiency. A higher prevalence of hypovitaminosis C and deficiency was observed in those of lower socio-economic status and in current smokers. Adults with higher vitamin C levels exhibited lower weight, BMI and waist circumference, and better measures of metabolic health, including HbA1c, insulin and triglycerides, all risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Lower levels of mild cognitive impairment were observed in those with the highest plasma vitamin C concentrations. Plasma vitamin C showed a stronger correlation with markers of metabolic health and cognitive impairment than dietary vitamin C.

Keywords: HbA1c; ascorbate; cognition; glucose; hypovitaminosis C; insulin.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Ascorbic Acid / blood*
  • Ascorbic Acid Deficiency / blood*
  • Ascorbic Acid Deficiency / diagnosis
  • Ascorbic Acid Deficiency / epidemiology
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Cognition*
  • Cognitive Aging*
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / blood
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / diagnosis
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / epidemiology
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / psychology*
  • Female
  • Health Status
  • Healthy Aging* / blood
  • Healthy Aging* / psychology
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Mental Health
  • Middle Aged
  • New Zealand / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Prospective Studies
  • Recommended Dietary Allowances
  • Risk Factors
  • Socioeconomic Factors

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Ascorbic Acid