Can Vitamin C Intake Improve Cognition?

Low vitamin C levels were found to result in cognitive impairment among older hospitalized Australians as per a study at the Flinders University, which may aid in the formulation of potential treatment. Cognitive impairment is quite prevalent in older hospitalized patients that may impair the person’s ability to remember things, concentrate or make decisions.

“Previous research has shown that vitamin C plays a significant role in the functioning of the brain, with studies finding that vitamin C deficiency may be associated with cognitive impairment, depression and confusion,” says lead author Associate Professor Yogesh Sharma from Flinders University’s College of Medicine and Public Health.

The study thereby evaluated 160 patients aged over 75 admitted to the Geriatric Evaluation and Management Unit at the Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide.

It was found that a total of 91 patients (56.9%) were found to have a cognitive impairment, while 42 (26.3%) were found to be vitamin C deficient with a level below 11 micromol/L, below which point scurvy could develop.

“Our findings showed that cognitive function scores were significantly lower among patients who were vitamin C deficient, with further analysis suggesting vitamin C deficiency was almost 3 times more likely to be associated with cognitive impairment after adjustment for other factors,” says Associate Professor Sharma.

Source-Medindia