A new study reports that plasma vitamin C correlates to muscle strength and physical performance in older women. Vitamin C is important for numerous physiological processes, including synthesis of collagen, which is a structural component of tendons, ligaments, blood vessels and bone.
This study evaluated 655 older women with an average age of 75 years. The women were assessed for plasma vitamin C concentrations and physical performance including handgrip strength, length of time standing on one leg with eyes open, and walking speed. The subjects were also evaluated for lifestyle and anthropometric measurements such as body mass index (BMI).
The results showed that the women had an average plasma vitamin C concentration of 8.9 mcg/mL. Plasma vitamin C concentrations correlated with physical performance, meaning plasma vitamin C concentration increased with increasing handgrip strength, length of time standing on one leg with eyes open, and walking speed. Vitamin C levels were inversely correlated to BMI, meaning that as plasma vitamin C levels increased, BMI decreased.
The study authors concluded, “In community-dwelling elderly women, the concentration of plasma vitamin C related well to their muscle strength and physical performance.”
Reference: Saito K, Yokoyama T, Yoshida H, Kim H, Shimada H, Yoshida Y, Iwasa H, Shimizu Y, Yoshitaka K, Handa S, Maruyama N, Ishigami A, Suzuki T. A Significant Relationship between Plasma Vitamin C Concentration and Physical Performance among Japanese Elderly Women. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2011 Oct 11
