Vitamin
C may Prevent Stomach Ulcers
Reported
August 4, 2003
(Ivanhoe
Newswire) -- Researchers say high levels of vitamin C
in the blood have the potential to prevent peptic ulcers and stomach
cancer.
A study led by researchers
from the San Francisco VA Medical Center analyzed the relationship
between vitamin C levels and infection by Helicobacter pylori,
the bacteria that causes peptic ulcers, and found those individuals
with lower levels of vitamin C in their blood were more likely
to become infected by the bacteria.
Researchers tested
blood samples of more than 7,000 adults for H. pylori infection.
Joel A. Simon, M.D., of San Francisco VA Medical Center and the
University of California- San Francisco, found more than half
of those who tested positive showed evidence of infection. Vitamin
C levels were also analyzed and Dr. Simon says, “Participants
with the highest blood levels of vitamin C had a 25-percent lower
prevalence of infection.”
It is unclear whether
the infection lowers vitamin C levels in the blood or if higher
blood levels of vitamin C protect against infection, but Dr. Simon
says, “It would still be prudent for people who test positive
for H. pylori infection to increase their intake of vitamin C,”
because it mitigates the effects of the infection. Experts say
about one in 10 Americans will develop an ulcer at some time in
their lives.
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SOURCE: Journal of
the American College of Nutrition, 2003;22:283-289
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