January 8, 2003 – A study1 reveals that children exposed to their parents’ second-hand smoke have, on average, a level of vitamin C in their blood 50% lower than that of children of non-smoking parents.
The study included 512 children between the ages of 2 and 12, half of whom were exposed to second-hand smoke from their smoking parents. During the research, both groups absorbed the same amount of vitamin C. The decrease in vitamin C concentration in the blood occurred even in children with very low exposure.
These results are in agreement with a recent synthesis of studies2 showing that smokers themselves have 25% lower concentrations of antioxidants (vitamin C, beta-carotene, alpha-carotene and cryptoxanthin) in their blood, on average, 25% than non-smokers.
Smokers and people exposed to second-hand smoke would therefore have significant needs for vitamin C. In the case of the present study, the researchers suggest that children exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) eat more foods rich in vitamin C or take vitamin supplements, vitamin C being a powerful antioxidant essential for growth.
Another study3 has already shown that vitamin C protects non-smokers from the damaging effects of free radicals when exposed to second-hand smoke.
Stéphane Gagné – PasseportSanté.net
According to Reuters Health, January 3, 2003.
1. Alan M Preston, Cindy Rodriguez, Cynthia E Rivera and Hardeo Sahai. Influence of environmental tobacco smoke on vitamin C status in children. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 77, No. 1, 167-172, January 2003. http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/77/1/167[Consulté le 8 janvier 2003].
2. Alberg A. The influence of cigarette smoking on circulating concentrations of antioxidant micronutrients. Toxicology 2002 Nov 15; 180 (2): 121-37. [Consulté le 8 janvier 2003]
3. On this subject, see the article on our site: “Vitamin C protects against free radicals from second-hand smoke”