Decrease vitamin C ranges have been linked to diminished mind quantity and weaker neural connectivity in older adults, suggesting a possible connection between diet and mind well being.
May a typical vitamin assist protect the mind as we age?
A brand new examine of greater than 2,000 older adults in Japan discovered that individuals with decrease ranges of vitamin C of their blood tended to have much less grey matter and weaker connectivity inside a key mind community linked to reminiscence and a spotlight. The findings, revealed in PLOS One by researchers led by Haruka Nagaya of Hirosaki College, add to rising proof that diet could also be tied to mind well being in later life.
Vitamin C is finest recognized for supporting immune perform, nevertheless it additionally acts as a robust antioxidant and performs necessary roles in defending nerve cells from oxidative stress. Earlier research have recommended that diets wealthy in vitamin C are related to a decrease threat of cognitive impairment in older adults. Nevertheless, few research have immediately examined whether or not vitamin C ranges circulating within the blood are associated to measurable variations in mind construction and communication between mind areas.
To analyze, the researchers analyzed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and blood plasma samples from 2,044 Japanese adults aged 64 and older. They measured the amount of grey and white matter all through the mind whereas accounting for variations in general mind dimension.
The staff additionally examined connectivity throughout the default mode community, a set of interconnected mind areas that continues to be energetic throughout internally targeted thought and is concerned in features resembling reminiscence, self-reflection, and a spotlight.
Decrease Vitamin C Related With Lowered Grey Matter and DMN Connectivity
After adjusting for components that may affect mind well being, together with age, bodily exercise, and schooling degree, the researchers discovered that members with decrease plasma vitamin C ranges typically had much less grey matter and weaker connectivity throughout the default mode community.
The outcomes elevate the chance that sustaining wholesome vitamin C ranges may assist assist cognitive perform and cut back age-related cognitive decline. Nevertheless, the examine doesn’t set up a cause-and-effect relationship between vitamin C and mind well being. Extra analysis will probably be wanted to make clear the organic processes behind these associations.
The researchers additionally counsel future research ought to monitor vitamin C ranges over longer intervals, think about a broader vary of life-style and dietary components, and embody members from extra numerous ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Default Mode Community Findings and Cognitive Well being Implications
Tomohiro Shintaku provides, “Our examine demonstrates that larger plasma vitamin C ranges are related to higher preserved structural connectivity of the default mode community (DMN), a key mind community concerned in cognitive perform. This discovering generates the thrilling speculation {that a} weight-reduction plan wealthy in vitamin C would possibly play a supportive position in sustaining mind well being and mitigating age-related cognitive decline in older adults.”
“What I discovered most fascinating about this analysis is that we have been in a position to detect these refined however vital associations between a single dietary issue and large-scale mind networks by using a sturdy, community-based cohort of over 2,000 older adults. It really highlights the potential impression of our on a regular basis dietary habits on our mind buildings.”
Reference: “Plasma vitamin C ranges are related to mind structural networks on MRI: A big cohort examine” by Haruka Nagaya, Keita Watanabe, Tomohiro Shintaku, Miho Sasaki, Jusei Kudo, Sera Kasai, Yuka Ishimoto, Kana Saito, Shuichi Matsuhashi, Taiki Koshiishi, Mizuki Imura, Amo Ozawa, Saaya Mori, Daisuke Watanabe, Shin Shukunobe, Tatsuro Sasaki, Soichiro Tatsuo, Shinya Kakehata, Tatsuya Mikami, Daichi Kokubu, Yusuke Ushida and Shingo Kakeda, 10 June 2026, PLOS ONE.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0348504
The funder (KAGOME CO., LTD.) offered assist within the type of salaries for authors D.Ok. and Y.U., however didn’t have any further position within the examine design, knowledge assortment and evaluation, determination to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Moreover, this analysis was supported by the Japan Company for Medical Analysis and Improvement (AMED) below Grant Numbers JP16dk0207025 and JP21dk0207053.
