Blackmores Institute

Blackmores Institute’s Director Dr Lesley Braun said: “Polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells are a type of white blood cell involved in a range of processes that support immune system function. This study showed how vitamin C and bioflavonoid supplementation enabled these cells to be more effective at ‘eating and destroying’ pathogens or infected cells within the body. This is especially important for diabetics, who are immunocompromised.”Published in journal Nutrition Research, the double-blind randomised placebo-controlled cross-over trial, found that vitamin C increased the functions of polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), especially those with poor glycemic control. The results showed that supplementation with Blackmores Bio C® 1000 (which also includes bioflavonoids) significantly improved phagocytosis (P=0.005) and Staphylococcus aureus-induced oxidative burst (P=0.02) functions in participants, indicating enhanced immune function. “In vitro and in vivo studies have established the beneficial effects of vitamin C on cellular functions of the innate and adaptive immune system. Vitamin C induces neutrophil migration to infection sites and enhances PMN cell functions such as phagocytosis, oxidative burst, and microbial killing. “During oxidative burst, neutrophils increase their uptake of circulating vitamin C which results in an increase in their intracellular vitamin C concentration. Consequently, cells are protected from extreme damage.”“To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the effects of a 6-week vitamin C treatment regimen (1000 mg/d) on the functions of PMN cells in patients with T2D. These results provide further insight into the benefits of oral vitamin C treatment for people with T2D.,” the authors concluded.Dr Braun added that the results were promising: “Type 2 diabetes affects more than 400 million people worldwide, so it is encouraging to see the potential health benefits of an affordable and widely accessible nutritional supplement like vitamin C. With further research, vitamin C supplementation may become an important part of a treatment plan for type 2 diabetes.”*Blackmores Institute provided the funds for research expenses, and donated Blackmores Bio C® 1000 tablets and placebo tablets. Source: Nutrition Research. 2020. DOI: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2020.05.010">10.1016/j.nutres.2020.05.010</a>

A new study from Thailand’s Khon Kaen University, supported by Blackmores Institute, has found high-dose vitamin C supplementation improves an important aspect of immune function in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus, by increasing the function of polymorphonuclear cells.

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