Positive Health Online

Abstract

OMENAAS and colleagues, Department of Thoracic Medicine, University of Bergen, Norway, ernst.omenaa@haukeland.no, have found that dietary vitamin C intake is inversely related to coughing and wheezing in young smokers.

Background

The study aimed to investigate whether dietary intake of vitamin C, an important antioxidant, could ameliorate self-reported respiratory symptoms on young adults.

Methodology

A random sample of 4300 subjects living in Bergen aged between 20 and 44 years received a postal questionnaire on respiratory symptoms. 80% responded. Vitamin C intake was estimated from a food-frequency questionnaire.

Results

Significant differences in vitamin C intake were found with current smokers having the lowest intake. Dietary vitamin C intake was inversely related to coughing and wheezing. In smokers, the odds ratios for 'morning cough', 'chronic cough', and 'wheeze' were 0.68, 0.69, and 0.75 in the highest compared to the lowest tertile of vitamin C intake.

Conclusion

Among young Norwegian adults who have a low prevalence of asthma and high prevalence of smoking-related respiratory symptoms, dietary vitamin C intake may act as an antioxidant and reduce coughing and wheezing in smokers.

References

Omenaas E, Fluge O, Buidt AS, Vollmer WM, Gulsvik A. Dietary vitamin C intake is inversely related to cough and wheeze in young smokers. Respiratory Medicine 97 (2): 134-142, Feb 2003.

Comment

Next time someone you know tells you that Vitamin C is useless and a waste of money, try to quote them this study.