(PO22-51-22) Vitamin C Status of US Adults in the 2017–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Remains Unchanged Since Last Assessed in 2005–2006

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Presenting Author(s)

CP

Carissa D. Powers, BS
– Research Chemist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Co-Author(s)

MS

Maya R. Sternberg, PhD
– National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH)/Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia, United States
RS

Rosemary L. Schleicher, PhD
– Research chemist, CDC

Disclosure(s):

Carissa D. Powers, BS: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Objectives: NHANES 2017-2018 serum vitamin C status of the adult (≥20 years) US population was compared with the combined NHANES 2003-2004 and NHANES 2005-2006 surveys.

Methods: Serum vitamin C was measured using HPLC with electrochemical detection. Mean data were stratified by age, sex, race/Hispanic origin, dietary intake, supplement use, smoking, body mass index, and income. Prevalence of deficiency risk ( < 11.4 mmol/L) was calculated.

Results: Overall, there were no significant survey differences in mean serum vitamin C (51.2 vs 54.0 mmol/L; p =0.087) nor in prevalence of deficiency risk (6.75% vs 6.99%; p =0.83). The associations between serum vitamin C and the investigated covariates were generally consistent between survey periods. The 60+y group mean serum vitamin C was 8-12 mmol/L higher than the 20-59y. Mean serum vitamin C was 9-10 mmol/L lower in men vs women. Mean serum vitamin C in non-Hispanic Whites was higher than Mexican Americans, which was higher than non-Hispanic Blacks. In 2017-2018, non-Hispanic Asians had the highest of all race/Hispanic origin groups (p < 0.0021). Mean serum vitamin C was 22-23 mmol/L higher with vitamin C-containing supplement use and positively associated (Spearman ρ=0.33; p< 0.0001) with increasing dietary intake. Mean serum vitamin C was 15-17 mmol/L lower in smokers vs non-smokers, 11-12 mmol/L lower in obese vs normal weight, and 8 mmol/L lower in low vs high income.

Conclusions: Overall, the serum vitamin C status of the US adult population was essentially the same since when it was last assessed in the NHANES 2005-2006 survey.

Funding Sources: CDC