Daily Vitamin C recommendations vary significantly worldwide even though the data underlying them are broadly the same, according to a new ‘Mind the Gap’ resource from IADSA, the international alliance for the supplement sector.

Research shows an almost threefold difference between the lowest and the highest recommendations for vitamin C issued by national and regional health authorities. Some scientists are now calling for an alignment of guidance to help people attain optimum vitamin C status.

Full details are outlined in the latest Mind the Gap story – ‘A world of difference: Why do global recommendations for Vitamin C vary so widely?’ Available to view online at iadsa.org/mind-the-gap/english/vitamin-c#intro.

It also explores the case for reviewing daily vitamin C intake recommendations for specific demographic groups, including pregnant and lactating women, smokers, the elderly, and people who are obese.

Vitamin C prevents scurvy, a disease once common among sailors but is now rare. However, it also performs several important functions in the body. In particular, it is a major scavenger of free radicals, helping to protect cells from oxidative damage.2 It also helps to maintain healthy skin, bones and cartilage and supports the immune and nervous systems.

Dr Gerhard Gans, Chair of IADSA, commented: “The benefits of vitamin C stretch well beyond the prevention of scurvy into a range of other key areas of health and wellbeing. To optimise people’s vitamin C status, IADSA believes that greater consideration needs to be given to the setting of appropriate daily intake recommendations. We agree that aligning the criteria used for establishing these would be a positive step.”

Mind the Gap is an information resource created by IADSA – the International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplement Associations. It facilitates the sharing of positive stories about the benefits nutrition offers to consumers worldwide and society at large. It also seeks to fill gaps in our scientific knowledge while promoting real-life examples of successful national nutrition programmes. Find out more at iadsa.org/mind-the-gap.Based in London, IADSA is the international association of the food supplement sector, with members from six continents. IADSA is the global platform to guide the evolution of policy and regulation in the sector.

Visit iadsa.org for more information.