Low vitamin C may result in impaired brain development and decreased memory in babies
Added 02.10.2009
Vitamin C for brain power
A recent study has shed light on the powerful effects of vitamin C: deficiency was linked to impaired brain neurons and decreased spatial memory - how the brain stores information about the surrounding environments - in newborns. The study was conducted with guinea pigs; they, like us, cannot manufacture their own vitamin C and mist obtain it from the diet.The Scientific Study
Background information
The study's aim was to investigate the link between vitamin C deficiency and neuronal damage in newborn guinea pigs. Thirty newborn guinea pigs were divided into two groups: one group received a diet with sufficient amounts of vitamin C; the second group was fed the same diet but with low levels of vitamin C, but no so little as to lead to scurvy. At the end of two months, brain development (hippocampal neuron numbers) was measured by stereologic techniques and spatial memory was measured by the Morris Water Maze.
Results
The guinea pigs receiving the low vitamin C diet had decreased spatial memory and a lower total number of hippocampal neurons than the guinea pigs receiving the diet with sufficient levels of vitamin C.
Conclusion
The study found that vitamin C deficiency in early postnatal life results in impaired brain development and decreased spatial memory.
Mother's vitamin C level dictates newborn's level
The interesting thing about vitamin C level in newborns is that it mirrors the level found in their mothers. In other words, pregnant women with low levels of vitamin C tend to have babies with low vitamin C levels also, which would imply that adequate levels of the vitamin during pregnancy would help to protect the newborn during his first weeks and months of life.References:
Lykkesfeldt, J. & all. "Vitamin C deficiency in early postnatal life impairs spatial memory and reduces the number of hippocampal neurons in guinea pigs." The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. July, 2009.
Dr. Bo Nielsen's comments:
This Danish scientific study is the first to demonstrate the importance of pregnant mothers taking a reasonable amount of vitamin C during pregnancy to ensure the child's brain develops normally. The study is an animal study because for natural reasons it could not be conducted on human children. The conclusion of the study is that if the pregnant or lactating mother's intake of vitamin C is low, she may risk impairing her child's brain development and decreasing spatial memory. These results stress how important it is for pregnant women to take a daily supplement with all the basic vitamins including vitamin D and all the essential minerals, in optimal dosages, in addition to a healthy diet and lifestyle.
