Vitamin C supplementation could lower body fat levels

Researchers from the Arizona State University performed a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of obese men and women. At the beginning of the trial the people with the lowest blood levels of Vitamin C had the highest levels of body fat. The participants were placed on a low-fat diet that supplied just 67%of the US RDA for Vitamin C. One group received a Vitamin C supplement of 500mg daily while the second group received an inactive placebo. Within 4 weeks the supplemented group had a 30% increase in Vitamin C levels while the placebo groups level fell by 27%. As blood levels of Vitamin C fell so did the ability to oxidize and rid the body of fat. Researchers are now studying whether a drop in Vitamin C levels is tied into increasing levels of body fat in adults. At least 30% of adult Americans have low Vitamin C levels. The study was just presented at this weeks Experimental Biology in San Francisco.

Commentary by Jerry Hickey, R.Ph.

Studies show it is not the caffeine which helps decrease the risk of developing diabetes but probably the polyphenols.

In this study mice were given an acetaminophen injection. The acetaminophen caused significant increases in immune chemicals that cause liver inflammation and a surge in free radical activity in the liver and caused damaging immune cells to rush into the liver. Liver enzyme levels significantly increased after receiving acetaminophen. If the mice were given Resveratrol immediately after acetaminophen the rush of damaging-inflammation causing immune cells into the liver was restored back to normal. Free radical levels were reduced back to normal and protective levels of Glutathione were restored. The study is published in the April 1st, 2006 issue of the journal Hepatology Research, the official journal of the Japan Society of Hepatology.