Although science shows that vitamin C levels in older adults are low, the exact cause of this unfortunate phenomenon is not entirely clear.
One theory is that high levels of oxidative stress increase our need for antioxidant activity with age. Vitamin C is a dynamic and irritating scavenger of free radicals that not only fights against self-reactive oxidative species (ROS), but also reproduces other antioxidant powerhouses (e.g., glutathione and vitamin E). Our body’s supply of glutathione, the “master antioxidant”, also decreases with age. Decreased levels of antioxidant activity mean that more antioxidants are needed to fight ROS.
While it is important for people of all ages to be aware of vitamin C levels, increasing vitamin C intake through diet and quality supplements can both restore glutathione and maintain healthy overall antioxidant levels, which is especially beneficial for older adults. * And this vitamin C – Optimizing practice should ideally be considered a daily (and effort).
Another theory is that vitamin C absorption is less efficient in our later years (although this is not always the case for young people). Taking an organically available vitamin C supplement known to affect cellular vitamin C function may ensure that you are absorbing, retaining, and utilizing essential vitamins to support longevity of the brain and whole body (among other incredible health benefits) *