06 August 2010
A variation in the gene responsible for intestinal vitamin C uptake may increase the risk of an insufficient supply, says a new UK study.
In the study, blood samples obtained from 3,425 women were analyzed to assess the relationship between genetic variations of a vitamin C transporter and circulating concentrations of vitamin C (1). The researchers identified a variation in the gene encoding for a protein involved in intestinal vitamin C uptake which was associated with a reduction in circulating concentrations of L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C). This finding was confirmed then in an analysis of a further 15,000 men and women. The relationship was not affected by any other factors studied, such as cigarette smoking, which has long been known to lower circulating vitamin C concentrations.
The researchers concluded that their findings may have important implications when considering the relationships between vitamin C intake, circulating vitamin C concentrations, and health. Specifically, the identified genetic variant could be used to determine the causal effect of lifetime variation in vitamin C concentrations on disease risk. Many studies suggest that individuals with low vitamin C status are more likely to develop a variety of illnesses such as atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.
Experts suggest that these findings need to be considered in future studies and that they shed important light on previous research reporting on inconsistent relationships between vitamin C intake or status and disease risk (2).
12 November 2013
A new analysis of dietary micronutrient intake data from eight European countries suggests that many men and women across all age groups do not consume sufficient B vitamins, vitamin D, iron, calcium and zinc.
19 April 2017
8 April 2010
Daily supplements of zinc may help reduce measures of anger and depression in young women, according to a new study.
