Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2004 May;94(5):870-5.
doi: 10.2105/ajph.94.5.870.

Vitamin C deficiency and depletion in the United States: the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988 to 1994

Jeffrey S Hampl  1 , Christopher A Taylor, Carol S Johnston
Affiliations

Vitamin C deficiency and depletion in the United States: the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988 to 1994

Jeffrey S Hampl et al. Am J Public Health. 2004 May.

Abstract

Objectives: We sought to determine prevalence rates of vitamin C deficiency and depletion in the United States.

Methods: We used data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to assess intake of dietary, supplemental, and serum vitamin C.

Results: Mean intakes and serum levels of vitamin C were normal; however, vitamin C deficiency and depletion were common (occurring among 5%-17% and 13%-23% of respondents, respectively). Smokers, those who did not use supplements, and non-Hispanic Black males had elevated risks of vitamin C deficiency, while Mexican Americans had lower risks.

Conclusions: Health professionals should recommend consumption of vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C and should recommend supplementation for individuals at risk of vitamin C deficiency.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

FIGURE 1—
FIGURE 1—
Mean vitamin C intakes, stratified by serum vitamin C levels.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Hampl JS, Johnston CS, Mills RA. Scourge of black-leg (scurvy) on the Mormon Trail. Nutrition. 2001;17:416–418. - PubMed
    1. Clark NG, Sheard NF, Kelleher JF. Treatment of iron-deficiency anemia complicated by scurvy and folic acid deficiency. Nutr Rev. 1992;50:134–137. - PubMed
    1. Gómez-Carrasco JA, Lopez-Herce Cid J, de Frutos CB, Ripalda-Crespo MJ, Garcia de Frias JE. Scurvy in adolescence. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 1994;19:118–120. - PubMed
    1. McKenna KE, Dawson JF. Scurvy occurring in a teenager. Clin Exp Dermatol. 1993;18:75–77. - PubMed
    1. Case records of the Massachusetts General Hospital: 72-year-old man with exertional dyspnea, fatigue, and extensive ecchymoses and purpuric lesions. N Engl J Med. 1995;333:1695–1702. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources