Plasma concentrations of ascorbic acid in a cross section of the German population

• Published in: Journal of international medical research Vol. 46; no. 1; pp. 168 - 174
• Main Authors: Hagel, Alexander F., Albrecht, Heinz, Dauth, Wolfgang, Hagel, Wolfgang, Vitali, Francesco, Ganzleben, Ingo, Schultis, Hans W., Konturek, Peter C., Stein, Jürgen, Neurath, Markus F., Raithel, Martin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.01.2018; Sage Publications Ltd; SAGE Publishing
• Subjects: Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Ascorbic Acid - blood; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency - blood; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency - diagnosis; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency - epidemiology; Body Mass Index; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Germany - epidemiology; Humans; Incidence; Male; Middle Aged; Questionnaires; Research Report; Sex Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vitamin C; Vitamin E; ascorbic acid; deficiency; body mass index; Vitamin C; scurvy
• ISSN: 0300-0605; 1473-2300; 1473-2300
• DOI: 10.1177/0300060517714387

Objectives Vitamin C deficiency is considered extremely rare in modern industrialized countries. This study was performed to assess vitamin C concentrations in the German population. Methods As part of a consultant–patient seminar on nutrition and food intolerances, patients were asked to participate in this study on a voluntary basis. Blood samples were taken for analysis of serum vitamin C concentrations, and all patients were asked to complete a questionnaire. The vitamin C concentration was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Results Of approximately 300 patients attending the seminar, 188 (62.6%) consented to vitamin C blood sample analysis and 178 (59.3%) answered the questionnaire. The mean vitamin C concentration was 7.98 mg/L (range, 0.50–17.40; reference range, 5–15 mg/L). A low plasma level with vitamin C insufficiency (<5 mg/L) was found in 31 patients (17.4%), and a potential scorbutogenic deficiency (<1.5 mg/L) was found in 6 (3.3%). Conclusions Potential vitamin C insufficiency and deficiency is common. It is therefore possible, even in modern developed populations, that certain individuals may require a higher intake of vitamin C.