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Abstract Title:

Vitamin C deficiency is an under-diagnosed contributor to degenerative disc disease in the elderly.

Abstract Source:

Med Hypotheses. 2010 Apr ;74(4):695-7. Epub 2009 Nov 22. PMID: 19932568

Abstract Author(s):

Val H Smith

Article Affiliation:

Val H Smith

Abstract:

The human aging process is often accompanied by significant increases in degenerative spine disease. The pathophysiology of intervertebral disc degeneration has been extensively studied, but the etiology of this aging-related problem remains poorly understood. The elderly often have lower daily vitamin C intakes and circulating ascorbic acid values than younger people because of problems with poor dentition or mobility, and also are more likely to have underlying sub-clinical diseases that can reduce plasma ascorbate concentrations. Ascorbate is essential for collagen production, and vitamin C deficiency will result in defective connective tissue, including reductions in collagen synthesis and structural stability. It is hypothesised that vitamin C deficiencies may be a key contributing factor in the development of degenerative disk disease (DDD) in the elderly. Once degenerative disc disease has begun, the tissue inflammation that accompanies DDD may further increase vitamin C requirements in the affected patient, thereby creating a cascade of positive feedbacks that potentially accelerates and contributes to further disc degeneration and low-back pain. Aggressive monitoring of patient ascorbate status, as well as more finely-calibrated RDAs for vitamin C that explicitly take into account the patient's age, may be required if aging-related degenerative disk disease is to be minimised.

Study Type : Review

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