title: The effect of vitamin C supplements on body weight, serum proteins, and general health of an elderly population.
abstract: A double-blind placebo trial of vitamin C has been undertaken in 94 elderly "long-term" inpatients known to have initially low levels of plasma and leukocyte vitamin C (mean values 0.17 mg/100 ml plasma; 10.1 microgram/10(8) leukocytes). At the end of 2 months treatment, plasma and leukocyte vitamin C had increased considerably in those receiving C supplements, and in this group there were slight but significant increases in the mean values for body weight (0.41 kg), plasma albumin (0.46 g/l), and prealbumin (25.4 mg/l) compared with those receiving placebo therapy where there were decreases of 0.60 kg, 0.53 g/l, and 7.0 mg/l, respectively. There was also some clinical improvement as indicated by reductions in purpura and petechial hemorrhages in those receiving vitamin C, but no changes in mood or mobility were observed.
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010919:Placebos; D011228:Prealbumin / Q000378:metabolism; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D010919:Placebos; D011228:Prealbumin; D012709:Serum Albumin; D001205:Ascorbic Acid