Vitamin C deficiency in the body may be related to cognitive impairment, according to a study carried out by researchers at Flinders University in Australia. Findings published in the scientific journal Antioxidants call attention to the risks of low levels of the nutrient, especially among older people.
“Previous research has shown that vitamin C plays a significant role in brain functioning, with studies revealing that vitamin C deficiency may be associated with cognitive impairment, depression and mental confusion,” said researcher Yogesh Sharma, a professor of medicine at the university. and author of the study in a statement.
Common among hospitalized elderly people, cognitive impairment causes difficulties with memory, concentration and decision-making.
In the research, 160 patients were observed, aged over 75 years, admitted to the Geriatric Assessment and Management Unit at Flinders Medical Center. The team assessed both cognitive function and vitamin C levels.
The results showed that cognitive function scores were significantly lower among patients with vitamin C deficiency. The analyzes suggest a threefold greater likelihood of cognitive impairment in the lack of the nutrient compared to the elderly with acceptable levels of vitamin C.
Other impacts of vitamin C deficiency
In this Tuesday’s edition (5) of the Medical Correspondentfrom Novo Dia, neurosurgeon Fernando Gomes explained the main impacts of the lack of vitamin C for the human body.
“Vitamin C is called ascorbic acid and comes mainly from foods like citrus fruits, some vegetables and legumes. If you have a very critical situation, and luckily this is extremely rare these days, you have a vitamin deficiency and a disease called scurvy,” he said.
Scurvy can cause symptoms such as bleeding, fragility of the gums, falling teeth, muscle weakness and tiredness. “Vitamin C interferes, during the digestion process, with the absorption of iron. So, if we have less iron in the body, there is a great chance that the person will develop anemia and you can imagine that the entire health of the physical body is compromised”, explains Gomes.
Vitamin C also stimulates the functioning of the immune system, leading to greater resistance to different infections. In addition, the nutrient favors the wound healing process and delays premature aging.
Among the main sources of the nutrient are fruits, such as oranges, lemons, pineapples, acerola, strawberries and cashews, as well as vegetables, including tomatoes, cabbage, peppers and leafy greens.
Source: CNN Brasil
