Korean J Rehabil Nurs.  2002 Dec;5(2):99-112.

Effect of Vitamin C Supplementation on Blood Sugar and Serum Lipid in NIDDM Patients

• Lee YM
• Park HS

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of oral vitamin C supplements on blood sugar and serum lipid level (total cholesterol, triglyceride. high density lipoprotein. low density lipoprotein) in non-insulin independent diabetes mellitus. The study design was a non equivalent control group pre-test post-test design. Data for the study were collected from June 24 to August 31. 2001. The ninty-five research subject were assigned to experimental group(51) and control group(44). Vitamin C(3g/day) was given to 51 subjects for 4 weeks. Following a 12h overnight fasting, blood sample was obstaind at baseline and at the end of 4week - supplementation. Blood samples were taken for plasma vitamin C concentration. fasting blood sugar. HbA1c and serum lipid level. The pre-equivalent test was used by Chi-squre, t-test and two group's pre and post experimental differences were analyzed by t-tset to compare with each other. The results of this study were as follows: 1. The difference between the two groups in plasma vitamin C concentration was significant(t=-12.950. p=.000). 2. The difference between the two groups in fasting blood sugar was significant(t=5.293, p=.000). 3. The difference between the two groups in HbA1c was not significant(t=1.758. p= .082). 4. The difference between the two groups in total cholesterol, HDL, LDL was significant (t=3.786. p=.000 ; t=-5.515. p=.000 . t= 4.169. p = .000). These results suggest that megadose vitamin C supplementation be effective in lowering fasting blood sugar. serum lipids and increasing plasma vitamin C. Thus dietary measures to increase plasma vitamin C may be on important health strategy for reducing the compliance of diabetic patients.

MeSH Terms

Ascorbic Acid*
Blood Glucose*
Cholesterol
Cholesterol, HDL
Compliance
Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2*
Fasting
Humans
Lipoproteins
Plasma
Research Subjects
Triglycerides
Vitamins*
Ascorbic Acid
Blood Glucose
Cholesterol
Cholesterol, HDL
Lipoproteins
Vitamins