Sato A, Kondo Y, Ishigami A. The evidence to date: implications of l-ascorbic acid in the pathophysiology of aging.
J Physiol Sci 2024;
74:29. [PMID:
38730366 PMCID:
PMC11088021 DOI:
10.1186/s12576-024-00922-7]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
L-Ascorbic acid, commonly known as vitamin C, has been used not only for disease prevention and in complementary and alternative medicine, but also for anti-aging purposes. However, the scientific evidence is not yet sufficient. Here, we review the physiological functions of vitamin C and its relationship with various pathological conditions, including our previous findings, and discuss the prospects of its application in healthy longevity. In summary, vitamin C levels are associated with lifespan in several animal models. Furthermore, clinical studies have shown that the blood vitamin C levels are lower in middle-aged and older adults than in younger adults. Lower blood vitamin C levels have also been observed in various pathological conditions such as chronic kidney disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the elderly. These observations suggest the implications of vitamin C in age-related pathological mechanisms owing to its physiological functions.
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