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Higher Blood Levels of Vitamin C Associated with 42% Lower Risk of Stroke

Higher blood levels of vitamin C are associated with a reduced risk for stroke. Researchers report that those in the highest vitamin C blood levels had a 42% reduced risk for stroke compared with those with the lowest. The results are published in the January issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. "Whether the causal link between plasma vitamin C and stroke can be identified, plasma vitamin C concentrations may nevertheless be a good predictive indicator of stroke risk," says lead author Phyo Kyaw Myint. "Vitamin C is a biomarker of fruit and vegetable consumption, which have many nutrients which may be biologically active and protective for stroke; high fruit and vegetable consumption has been reported in previous studies to be protective for stroke," he said. "Measuring plasma vitamin C levels may identify those who will most benefit from established risk factor management such as blood pressure control."

The study included 20,649 men and women aged 40 to 79 years, who were free of stroke at baseline. Reference: Am J Clin Nutr. 2008;87:5-7, 64-69.