Vitamin C is an antioxidant that plays a role in several functions in your body, including collagen synthesis, white blood cell formation and iron absorption. Evidence also indicates that vitamin C might help reduce your risk for developing diabetes. Citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables and bell peppers are good sources of vitamin C.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which your cells don't respond to insulin effects, or your pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin. Scientists at Addenbrooke's Hospital in England assessed the relationship between vitamin C levels and type 2 diabetes risk. They reported in the July 2008 issue of the "Archives of Internal Medicine" that subjects with higher blood vitamin C levels lowered their risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared with those with lower blood vitamin C levels.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy, particularly around the third trimester. Due to hormonal changes, the mother develops high blood sugar early in pregnancy, which can lead to gestational diabetes during the later part of the pregnancy. Researchers at the University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine discovered that low maternal dietary vitamin C intake and low blood levels of vitamin C during pregnancy increased the risk of developing gestational diabetes. The findings were reported in the April 2004 issue of the "Journal of Reproductive Medicine."
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a condition in which your pancreas produces little to no insulin. As a result, blood sugar levels build up, which impairs blood vessel function and increases your risk for other health problems. Researchers at the University Hospital of Coventry and Warwickshire and University of Warwick in the United Kingdom observed that patients with type 1 diabetes taking insulin along with vitamin C experienced improvements in blood vessel function, according to research reported in the August 2009 issue of the "Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism."
Vitamin C Supplementation
Scientists at the University of Minnesota investigated the impact of vitamin C intake on cardiovascular disease mortality in women. They followed participants for 15 years, assessing food questionnaires and supplementation. At the end of the study, researchers discovered that a high vitamin C intake from supplements, but not dietary foods, increased cardiovascular disease risk in women. The findings were published in the November 2004 issue of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition."
References
- "Archives of Internal Medicine"; "Plasma Vitamin C Level, Fruit and Vegetable Consumption, and the Risk of New-Onset Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus"; A.H. Harding et al; July 2008
- "Journal of Reproductive Medicine"; "Vitamin C And The Risk Of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: a Case-Control Study"; C. Zhang et al; April 2004
- "Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism"; "Long-Term Glycemic Control Influences the Long-Lasting Effect of Hyperglycemia on Endothelial Function in Type 1 Diabetes"; A. Ceriello et al; August 2009
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; "Does Supplemental Vitamin C Increase Cardiovascular Disease Risk In Women With Diabetes?"; D.H. Lee et al; November 2004
Member Comments