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Review
. 2020 Jun 27;17(11):1625-1638.
doi: 10.7150/ijms.47103. eCollection 2020.

Vitamin C: A Review on its Role in the Management of Metabolic Syndrome

Sok Kuan Wong  1 , Kok-Yong Chin  1 , Soelaiman Ima-Nirwana  1
Affiliations
Review

Vitamin C: A Review on its Role in the Management of Metabolic Syndrome

Sok Kuan Wong et al. Int J Med Sci. .

Abstract

Oxidative stress and inflammation are two interlinked events that exist simultaneously in metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its related complications. These pathophysiological processes can be easily triggered by each other. This review summarizes the current evidence from animal and human studies on the effects of vitamin C in managing MetS. In vivo studies showed promising effects of vitamin C, but most of the interventions used were in combination with other compounds. The direct effects of vitamin C remain to be elucidated. In humans, the current state of evidence revealed that lower vitamin C intake and circulating concentration were found in MetS subjects. A negative relationship was observed between vitamin C intake / concentration and the risk of MetS. Oral supplementation of vitamin C also improved MetS conditions. It has been postulated that the positive outcomes of vitamin C may be in part mediated through its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. These observations suggest the importance of MetS patients to have an adequate intake of vitamin C through food, beverages or supplements in order to maintain its concentration in the systemic circulation and potentially reverse MetS.

Keywords: antioxidants; ascorbate; ascorbic acid; inflammation; oxidative stress..

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interest exists.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Framework for the selection of relevant studies.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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