Vitamin C Plasma Levels Associated with Inflammatory Biomarkers, CRP and RDW: Results from the NHANES 2003–2006 Surveys
Although undisputed for its anti-inflammatory and immune system boosting properties, vitamin C remains an inconsistently investigated nutrient in the United States. However, subclinical inadequacies may partly explain increased inflammation and decreased immune function within the population. This s...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-03-01
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| Series: | Nutrients |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/6/1254 |
| _version_ | 1797443873861009408 |
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| author | Jennifer Marie Crook Ann L. Horgas Saunjoo L. Yoon Oliver Grundmann Versie Johnson-Mallard |
| author_facet | Jennifer Marie Crook Ann L. Horgas Saunjoo L. Yoon Oliver Grundmann Versie Johnson-Mallard |
| author_sort | Jennifer Marie Crook |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Although undisputed for its anti-inflammatory and immune system boosting properties, vitamin C remains an inconsistently investigated nutrient in the United States. However, subclinical inadequacies may partly explain increased inflammation and decreased immune function within the population. This secondary analysis cross-sectional study used the 2003–2006 NHANES surveys to identify more clearly the association between plasma vitamin C and clinical biomarkers of acute and chronic inflammation C-reactive protein (CRP) and red cell distribution width (RDW). From plasma vitamin C levels separated into five defined categories (deficiency, hypovitaminosis, inadequate, adequate, and saturating), ANOVA tests identified significant differences in means in all insufficient vitamin C categories (deficiency, hypovitaminosis, and inadequate) and both CRP and RDW in 7607 study participants. There were also statistically significant differences in means between sufficient plasma vitamin C levels (adequate and saturating categories) and CRP. Significant differences were not identified between adequate and saturating plasma vitamin C levels and RDW. Although inadequate levels of vitamin C may not exhibit overt signs or symptoms of deficiency, differences in mean levels identified between inflammatory biomarkers suggest a closer examination of those considered at risk for inflammatory-driven diseases. Likewise, the subclinical levels of inflammation presented in this study provide evidence to support ranges for further clinical inflammation surveillance. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T13:04:23Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0d5e1831a048469098cf686017da7256 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6643 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T13:04:23Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nutrients |
| spelling | doaj.art-0d5e1831a048469098cf686017da72562023-11-30T21:50:13ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432022-03-01146125410.3390/nu14061254Vitamin C Plasma Levels Associated with Inflammatory Biomarkers, CRP and RDW: Results from the NHANES 2003–2006 SurveysJennifer Marie Crook0Ann L. Horgas1Saunjoo L. Yoon2Oliver Grundmann3Versie Johnson-Mallard4Center for Health Equity and Community Engagement Research, Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USABiobehavioral Nursing Science, College of Nursing, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USABiobehavioral Nursing Science, College of Nursing, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USAEntrepreneurial Programs in Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USACollege of Nursing, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44240, USAAlthough undisputed for its anti-inflammatory and immune system boosting properties, vitamin C remains an inconsistently investigated nutrient in the United States. However, subclinical inadequacies may partly explain increased inflammation and decreased immune function within the population. This secondary analysis cross-sectional study used the 2003–2006 NHANES surveys to identify more clearly the association between plasma vitamin C and clinical biomarkers of acute and chronic inflammation C-reactive protein (CRP) and red cell distribution width (RDW). From plasma vitamin C levels separated into five defined categories (deficiency, hypovitaminosis, inadequate, adequate, and saturating), ANOVA tests identified significant differences in means in all insufficient vitamin C categories (deficiency, hypovitaminosis, and inadequate) and both CRP and RDW in 7607 study participants. There were also statistically significant differences in means between sufficient plasma vitamin C levels (adequate and saturating categories) and CRP. Significant differences were not identified between adequate and saturating plasma vitamin C levels and RDW. Although inadequate levels of vitamin C may not exhibit overt signs or symptoms of deficiency, differences in mean levels identified between inflammatory biomarkers suggest a closer examination of those considered at risk for inflammatory-driven diseases. Likewise, the subclinical levels of inflammation presented in this study provide evidence to support ranges for further clinical inflammation surveillance.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/6/1254ascorbatevitamin CinflammationCRPRDW |
| spellingShingle | Jennifer Marie Crook Ann L. Horgas Saunjoo L. Yoon Oliver Grundmann Versie Johnson-Mallard Vitamin C Plasma Levels Associated with Inflammatory Biomarkers, CRP and RDW: Results from the NHANES 2003–2006 Surveys Nutrients ascorbate vitamin C inflammation CRP RDW |
| title | Vitamin C Plasma Levels Associated with Inflammatory Biomarkers, CRP and RDW: Results from the NHANES 2003–2006 Surveys |
| title_full | Vitamin C Plasma Levels Associated with Inflammatory Biomarkers, CRP and RDW: Results from the NHANES 2003–2006 Surveys |
| title_fullStr | Vitamin C Plasma Levels Associated with Inflammatory Biomarkers, CRP and RDW: Results from the NHANES 2003–2006 Surveys |
| title_full_unstemmed | Vitamin C Plasma Levels Associated with Inflammatory Biomarkers, CRP and RDW: Results from the NHANES 2003–2006 Surveys |
| title_short | Vitamin C Plasma Levels Associated with Inflammatory Biomarkers, CRP and RDW: Results from the NHANES 2003–2006 Surveys |
| title_sort | vitamin c plasma levels associated with inflammatory biomarkers crp and rdw results from the nhanes 2003 2006 surveys |
| topic | ascorbate vitamin C inflammation CRP RDW |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/6/1254 |
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