Vitamin C and Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Several points of contact exist between the metabolism of glucose and vitamin C, which are two substances with a similar molecular structure. A deficiency of vitamin C provokes disorders in glycoregulation reminiscent of diabetes mellitus, and vice versa, diabetes brings about disorders in ascorbic acid metabolism, which may lead to a local vitamin C deficiency in some tissues. This vicious circle can be cut by an increased supply of ascorbic acid. Long-term administration of ascorbic acid depresses cholesterol level in blood serum in the majority of hypercholesterolemic diabetics. Prevention of chronic overt vitamin C deficiency in diabetics may play a positive role in the prevention of diabetic microangiopathies and atherosclerosis.