Effect of Dietary or Supplemental Vitamin C Intake on Vitamin C Levels in Patients with and without Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#antioxidants #ascorbic-acid #atherosclerosis #cardiovascular-diseases #diet

Effect of Dietary or Supplemental Vitamin C Intake on Vitamin C Levels in Patients with and without Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review

Collins et al., 2021 | Nutrients | Systematic Review

Citation

Collins Bianca J, Mukherjee Mitali S, ... Delaney Christopher L. Effect of Dietary or Supplemental Vitamin C Intake on Vitamin C Levels in Patients with and without Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2021-Jul-08;13(7). doi:10.3390/nu13072330

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is a pro-oxidative and pro-inflammatory disease state, which is the underlying cause of most cardiovascular events, estimated to affect 5.2% of the Australian population. Diet, and specifically vitamin C, through its antioxidant properties can play a role in impeding the development and progression of atherosclerosis. This systematic review conducted comprehensive searches in Medline, Emcare, Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane using key search terms for vitamin C, plasma vitamin C, supplementation, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The results demonstrated that vitamin C supplementation resulted in a significant increase in vitamin C levels in populations with or without CVD, except for one study on the CVD population. It was also seen that the healthy population baseline and post-intervention vitamin C levels were high compared to the CVD population. However, further research is indicated for CVD population groups with varying baseline vitamin C levels, such as low baseline vitamin C, within a more representative elderly cohort in order to formulate and update vitamin C repletion guidelines.

Key Findings

However, further research is indicated for CVD population groups with varying baseline vitamin C levels, such as low baseline vitamin C, within a more representative elderly cohort in order to formulate and update vitamin C repletion guidelines.

Outcomes Measured

  • inflammatory markers

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Antioxidants
  • Ascorbic Acid
  • Atherosclerosis
  • Cardiovascular Diseases
  • Diet
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Eating
  • Female
  • Heart Disease Risk Factors
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nutritional Status

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-c-cardiovascular

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09