Vitamin C Levels Affect H. Pylori Infection

SAN FRANCISCO--Researchers from the San Francisco VA Medical Center found a positive association between serum ascorbic acid levels and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, according to research published in the August 1 Journal of the American College of Nutrition (22, 4:283-9, 2003) (www.jacn.org).

Examining data from 6,746 adults enrolled in the Third National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), 1988-1994, researchers found 2,189 patients with H. pylori infection. Among whites, higher serum levels of ascorbic acid were associated with a decreased seroprevalence of H. pylori; there was no significant association among non-whites.

According to Joel A. Simon, M.D., et al, the data indicate vitamin C status may affect the risk of H. pylori infection. However, he and fellow researchers were unable to determine whether the effect was the result of confounding factors such as socioeconomic status. Also, it may be infection itself that lowers vitamin C levels, according to a release from the University of California, San Francisco. "We cannot be certain if the infection lowers blood levels of vitamin C or if higher blood levels protect against infection," Simon said in the release. "The bottom line is that higher levels of vitamin C may have the potential to prevent peptic ulcers and stomach cancer."