{"id":701283,"date":"2026-06-13T07:26:23","date_gmt":"2026-06-13T07:26:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/701283\/"},"modified":"2026-06-13T07:26:23","modified_gmt":"2026-06-13T07:26:23","slug":"aging-brain-health-vitamin-c-levels-linked-to-gray-matter-volume","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/701283\/","title":{"rendered":"Aging brain health: Vitamin C levels linked to gray matter volume"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"colorShare on Pinterest<\/a>Lower vitamin C levels were linked to lower gray matter volume in a new study. MNT Design\/Photo by bawanch\/Getty ImagesAs our body naturally ages, so does our brain, causing structural and connectivity changes. Previous research shows that consuming certain nutrients, like vitamin C, may assist with healthy brain aging.A new study found having low levels of vitamin C in blood plasma is correlated with a lower brain gray matter volume and connectivity during aging. <\/p>\n

As our body naturally ages, so does our brain. Structurally, the brain loses volume of gray matter<\/a> \u2014 the area of the brain known for processing information, movement, and emotion control \u2014 which can make it harder for the brain to perform certain functions, such as creating new memories and multitasking. <\/p>\n

Additionally, the brain undergoes changes in its neurons<\/a> and neurotransmitters<\/a>, which can impact brain connectivity and how it receives and sends communications. <\/p>\n

Now a new study published in the journal PLOS One<\/a> takes a further look at vitamin C, and found having low levels of vitamin C in blood plasma<\/a> is correlated with a lower brain gray matter volume and connectivity during aging. <\/p>\n

For this study, researchers analyzed blood samples and MRI scans<\/a> of about 2,000 Japanese adults over the age of 64. Scientists measured participants\u2019 gray and white brain matter<\/a> volume, and blood plasma vitamin C levels. <\/p>\n

\u201cVitamin C is a vital antioxidant<\/a>, and its concentration in the brain (cerebrospinal fluid<\/a>) is more than twice as high as in the blood,\u201d Tomohiro Shintaku<\/a>, MD, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Radiology in the Graduate School of Medicine at Hirosaki University in Japan, and corresponding author of this study, told Medical News Today.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile previous studies have shown that a diet rich in vitamin C is linked to a reduced risk of cognitive impairment like Alzheimer\u2019s disease<\/a>, it remains unclear how blood levels of vitamin C directly relate to large-scale brain networks. We wanted to fill this gap, as no previous studies had evaluated the association between plasma vitamin C levels and the default mode network (DMN)<\/a>, [which involves] brain areas that become more active when the brain is resting,\u201d Shintaku explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe brain is highly vulnerable to oxidative stress<\/a>, and dietary antioxidants significantly contribute to protecting neurons from oxidative damage and maintaining overall neuronal function. As neurodegenerative diseases increasingly impact brain health in older adults, understanding how modifiable lifestyle factors, like daily vitamin intake, can support cognitive reserve is crucial for public health and preventative medicine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013 Tomohiro Shintaku, MD, PhD<\/p>\n

At the study\u2019s conclusion, researchers found that study participants with lower blood plasma vitamin C levels regularly had lower gray matter volume, as well as lower connectivity within the DMN.<\/p>\n

\u201cDecreased gray matter volume generally reflects brain atrophy<\/a> and gross neuronal loss,\u201d Shintaku noted. \u201cAdditionally, the DMN is a key network for cognitive functions such as memory, and its lower connectivity is a known early clinical manifestation of cognitive impairment.\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cTherefore, the significance of our finding is that maintaining optimal vitamin C levels could potentially play a supportive role in mitigating age-related cognitive decline and preserving normal brain network integrity,\u201d he told us. <\/p>\n

Shintaku said that as this study is cross-sectional, they can only show an association, not a cause-and-effect relationship. <\/p>\n

\u201cOur next step is to conduct longitudinal investigations to observe temporal changes \u2014 specifically, how changes in plasma vitamin C levels over time affect brain structures and cognitive trajectories,\u201d he detailed. \u201cWe also plan to incorporate comprehensive lifestyle assessments, including body mass index (BMI)<\/a> and total dietary intake, to further clarify the independent contribution of vitamin C.\u201d<\/p>\n

MNT had the opportunity to speak with Peter Gliebus<\/a>, MD, chief of neurology and director of cognitive and behavioral neurology at Marcus Neuroscience Institute, a part of Baptist Health South Florida, about this study.<\/p>\n

Gliebus, who was not involved in this research, commented that his initial reaction to its findings was optimistic. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt suggests a potentially simple and accessible way to support brain health, as maintaining adequate vitamin C levels may help preserve connectivity in key brain regions, including the default mode network,\u201d he explained. \u201cThis network plays an important role in functions such as short-term memory, introspection, and self-referential thinking.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cIt is important to continue scientifically evaluating how brain function changes with aging and how vitamin levels influence these processes,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs we get older, absorption may decline, and diets may become deficient in key nutrients<\/a>, so understanding the underlying mechanisms and their impact is critical. This also highlights the potential for relatively simple interventions, such as optimizing vitamin levels, as a preventive strategy to help maintain cognitive health or slow cognitive decline,\u201d said Gliebus.<\/p>\n

MNT also spoke with Dung Trinh<\/a>, MD, an internist at MemorialCare Medical Group and chief medical officer of the Healthy Brain Clinic in Irvine, CA, who was also not involved in this study. <\/p>\n

Trinh said he found this to be an interesting and encouraging study, but one that needs to be interpreted carefully. <\/p>\n

\u201cMany older adults are understandably concerned about memory, cognition, and maintaining independence as they age, so research that connects everyday health factors \u2014 like nutrition \u2014 with brain structure is important,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis study found an association between higher plasma vitamin C levels and MRI markers of brain health, including gray matter volume and connectivity in the default mode network, which is involved in several cognitive functions. That said, the study does not prove that vitamin C prevents cognitive decline or that taking supplements will improve brain health. It is best viewed as a signal that vitamin C status may be one piece of a much larger brain-health picture.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013 Dung Trinh, MD<\/p>\n

Trinh suggested the next step in this research be longitudinal studies that follow people over time to see whether vitamin C levels predict changes in brain volume, brain network connectivity, or cognitive performance. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt would also be useful to have repeated vitamin C measurements, more detailed dietary data, and better accounting for factors such as body mass index, socioeconomic status, and overall diet quality,\u201d he detailed. \u201cUltimately, randomized clinical trials would be needed to determine whether improving vitamin C status can actually change brain outcomes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI would also like to see this research replicated in more diverse populations, since this study focused on older Japanese adults,\u201d Trinh continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor patients, the practical takeaway is not to rush to high-dose supplements, but to maintain a healthy dietary pattern that includes vitamin C-rich foods<\/a>, such as fruits and vegetables, along with other proven brain-health habits,\u201d he advised.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Share on PinterestLower vitamin C levels were linked to lower gray matter volume in a new study. MNT…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":701284,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[2594,4994,97,269,41456],"class_list":["post-701283","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-health","tag-aging","tag-brain-health","tag-health","tag-nutrition","tag-vitamin-c"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/701283","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=701283"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/701283\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/701284"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=701283"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=701283"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=701283"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}