Alternative Health Blog

In a study aimed at determining the prevalence of vitamin C deficiency in selected subgroups in the United States, serum concentrations of total vitamin C were measured in 7,277 noninstitutionalized subjects 6 years of age or older (from the nationally representative National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2003-4). As compared to results of the NHANES III (1988-1994) which found 13% of the US population to be vitamin C deficient (serum concentrations < 11.4 micromol/L), results of this NHANES (2003-2004) found overall vitamin C status to have improved (prevalence of deficiency: 7.1%). The overall age-adjusted mean serum vitamin C level was 51.4 micromol/L. Low-income persons and smokers were found to have the greatest risk of deficiency. The highest concentrations were found in children and older persons. In every ethnic group, women had higher concentrations than men. Adult smokers had serum vitamin C levels one-third lower than those of non-smokers (35.2 vs. 50.7 micromol/L in men and 38.6 vs. 58.0 micromol/L in women). Considering that, “vitamin C (ascorbic acid) may be the most important water-soluble antioxidant in human plasma,” efforts to increase serum vitamin C levels in low-income persons and smokers are needed
 
Reference:
“Serum vitamin C and the prevalence of vitamin C deficiency in the United States: 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES),” Schleicher RL, Carroll MD, et al, Am J Clin Nutr, 2009; 90(5): 1252-63.