Vitamin C Deficiency– a rodent randomised trial

Within this trial mice were restricted of vitamin C to the extent that they were severely deficient. Without any ascorbic acid (AA) biochemical and behavioural changes began to show.

The mice showed decreased strength and movement, whilst their preferences to sugar increased significantly.

For those with less AA also showed depressive like symptoms past resusitation. AA Deficiency in the mice was also linked to lower blood glucose levels, decreases in dopamine and serotonin metabolites and oxidative damage to proteins and lipids in the cortex.

Results of the study indicate that low vitamin C levels may impact on behavioural and biochemical processes of the mice.