title: Vitamin C supplementation of old people with low blood levels.
abstract: Ascorbic acid blood levels were estimated in 828 elderly people living in the community. 297 subjects with low blood levels were admitted to a 2-year controlled trial of vitamin C. Despite a rise in plasma and leucocyte levels, vitamin C produced no apparent benefit in terms of mortality, morbidity or mental senescence. On following up all those who were originally seen, it was found that a higher proportion of deaths occurred among subjects whose leucocyte levels were below 15 mug/10(8) cells than among the rest. This association was especially marked in the men; it was not due to smoking and was probably attributable to an effect of ill-health on blood levels, either directly or through impairment of appetite.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008606:Mental Processes; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000097:blood; D012907:Smoking / Q000150:complications