An NHANES Analysis of 2005 - 2006 Data Examining the Relationship Between Diabetes Mellitus and Vitamin C Ingestion

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common diseases afflicting the United States (U.S.) population. Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) is considered to be one of the most potent anti-oxidants present in the body. Thus, we present the results of our epidemiologic analysis of whether Vitamin C ingestion is related to the development of diabetes mellitus.  Methods: For the purpose of our study, we examined National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data collected between 2005 and 2006. Of 10,34 8 participants who had data collected during this two-year period, 4979 did not meet any exclusion criteria, and were includ ed in our data analysis. We performed a multivariate logistic regression to find out whether plasma levels of vitamin C were correlated with the development of diabetes. Results: The unadjusted odds ratios of having diabetes in the four quartiles of Vitamin C starting from lowest to highest were 1, 0.87 (95% CI of 0.67 - 1.13), 0.62 (95% CI of 0.50 - 0.78) and 0.45 (95% CI of 0.359 - 0.557), respectively. When the analysis was adjusted for risk factors the  odds ratios still showed a dose-response relation with  odds ratios of 1, 0.79 (95% CI of 0.6-1.04), 0.58 (95% CI of 0.45-0.76) and 0.53 (95% CI of 0.43-0.63), respectively.  Conclusion: Our study supports the hypothesis that higher plasma levels of Vitamin C levels are protective against the development of Diabetes Mellitus. Given the limitations of our study, a prospective, randomized stud y looking at Vitamin C ingestion to reach predefined serum levels is warranted to further investigate the necessary logistics of Vitamin C use in the prevention of chronic diseases such as diabetes. doi:10.4021/jem88e