Effects of oral vitamin C supplement on the serum lipid profile

Purpose: Ascorbic acid has protective effects against coronary heart disease. These effects are attributed to its antioxidant properties and its relation to plasma lipids. This study investigated the effects of supplementing one gram of vitamin C per day on the serum serum lipoproteins of healthy 18 to 55 years old individuals in    Iran.

Materials and  Methods: This study was  conducted on  55  healthy individuals aged 18  to  55 years old at a medical center of Iran’s Army. None of the participants had taken vitamin supplements three months before participating in the study. Their diet patterns were evaluated by estimating the energy and nutrients intake. At the beginning of the study, serum  triglyceride,  high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and total cholesterol levels of the participants were measured. Then, the participants received one gram  of vitamin C on a daily basis for  30  days. Blood parameters were measured on  the  15th  and 30th days of supplementation and were compared with each other. The findings were analyzed with Student’s t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) test using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version   18.

Results: After receiving vitamin C supplement for 30 days, a significant reduction was seen in the participants’ total cholesterol level (12.2%) and average plasma triglyceride concentration level (8.09%). HDL cholesterol level significantly increased (14.5%) after one month of vitamin C  supplementation  (P =.032).

Conclusion: Taking one gram of vitamin C daily may significantly reduce serum lipoprotein levels  in  healthy individuals.