We Need Even More Vitamin C As We Age — How To Raise Your Status

While vitamin C insufficiency is a prevalent problem that affects 46% of the U.S. adult population1 (yes, almost half of American adults), people over 60 are even more likely to have suboptimal vitamin C levels2. In fact, a meta-analysis published in the International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research found that adults between the ages of 60 and 96 had significantly lower vitamin C plasma levels3 when compared to younger individuals (i.e., aged 15 to 65) following the same intake of vitamin C.

While the science shows that older adults have lower vitamin C levels, the exact cause of this unfortunate phenomenon is not completely clear. 

One theory is that our need for antioxidant activity increases with age due to higher levels of oxidative stress. Vitamin C is a dynamic and eager scavenger of free radicals that increases antioxidant activity in the body not only by combating reactive oxidative species (ROS) on its own but by regenerating other antioxidant powerhouses (e.g., glutathione and vitamin E) as well.* Like vitamin C, our body stores of "master antioxidant" glutathione also decrease with age. This decrease in antioxidant activity levels means there's a greater need for antioxidants to combat ROS.

While it's important for people of all ages to be cognizant of vitamin C levels, increasing vitamin C intake through diet and quality supplementation can both restore glutathione and maintain healthy overall antioxidant levels, which is especially beneficial for older adults.* And these vitamin-C-optimizing practices should ideally be a daily consideration (and endeavor).

vitamin C potency+ contains a full-potency dose (1,000 milligrams) of a unique vitamin-C-lipid-citrus bioflavonoid trio called PureWay-C™ that demonstrates superior absorption (i.e., a 233% higher cellular absorption rate4 than ascorbic acid on its own) and free-radical-scavenging abilities (i.e., it's 11% more effective4 at fighting ROS than other forms of vitamin C).*† 

Vitamin C is critical for keeping your brain, heart, skin, and immune system healthy.* However, maintaining sufficient vitamin C levels can be more challenging than you'd think—especially later in life.