Ascorbic acid requirements for smokers: analysis of a population survey

Article Abstract:

Ascorbic acid (AA), also known as vitamin C, is found in fresh vegetables and fruits, especially citrus fruits. It is an important part of a balanced diet. AA is required for the proper growth and repair of tissue, cartilage, and bone. A deficiency of AA causes a disease called scurvy. This disease was first observed in sailors who made long voyages across the ocean without fresh fruits or vegetables in their diet. The symptoms of this disease include weakness, anemia (low red blood cell count), lack of bone growth, inability of wounds to heal, and bleeding. Recently, it has become apparent that cigarette smoking interferes with AA in the body and it reduces the amount of AA in the blood. In response to this, the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council increased the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of AA for smokers from 60 to 100 milligrams (mg) per day. The RDA of AA for nonsmokers is still 60 mg per day. However, it is not known how much AA smokers have to consume on a daily basis to maintain blood levels of AA that are sufficient to prevent AA deficiency. To investigate this further, blood levels of AA were measured in 11,582 subjects, 35.4 percent of whom were smokers, who were taking 60, 100, 150, or 200 mg of AA per day. Smokers who consumed 60, 100, or 150 mg of AA per day had a greater risk of having low blood levels of AA than nonsmokers who consumed 60 mg of AA per day. Only the smokers who consumed 200 mg or more per day had blood levels of AA similar to those of nonsmokers who consumed at least 60 mg per day. It is concluded that smokers need substantially more AA than nonsmokers to maintain similar amounts of AA in the blood. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Measurement, Complications and side effects, Physiological aspects, Smoking, Vitamin C metabolism, Vitamin metabolism, Vitamin C deficiency

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Vitamin C and cardiovascular risk factors

Article Abstract:

A review of the literature on vitamin C and its effect on risk of cardiovascular disease is presented. Lipid peroxidation (destruction of cell membranes) by free radicals (highly reactive atoms with unpaired electrons) may play a role in the accumulation of fatty deposits inside the arteries. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is an antioxidant that can protect tissues from damage caused by free radicals, and thus may reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Serum levels of ascorbic acid are commonly used to determine the vitamin C status of an individual. Serum ascorbic acid is reduced in smokers, the elderly, and patients with diabetes. One study found that in patients with elevated serum cholesterol levels and low dietary ascorbic acid intake, ascorbic acid supplements reduced total serum cholesterol levels. In the elderly, ascorbic acid has been shown to increase serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels; higher HDL levels are thought to protect against coronary heart disease. High blood pressure may be helped by vitamin C as well: 12 people with borderline hypertension given 1,000 milligrams of ascorbic acid for six weeks had significant reductions in their systolic, but not diastolic, blood pressure. It is concluded that ascorbic acid supplements may have beneficial effects on blood pressure, and that people with high blood pressure, smokers, diabetics and the elderly should increase their dietary intake of vitamin C. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Hypertension, Cardiovascular diseases, Risk factors, Nutritional aspects, Diet therapy, Vitamin C in human nutrition

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