Vitamin C has long been associated with a stronger immune system and as a result is one of the most popular supplements taken in the UK today. However, the results of a recent study on guinea pigs suggest that Vitamin C has another equally important role in early brain development.

The study, performed in Denmark, took 30 new born guinea pigs and gave half of them a Vitamin C deficient diet for 2 months - although not extreme enough to give them scurvy. The other half were given a Vitamin C sufficient diet for the same length of time. Guinea pigs were chosen, because, like humans, they are unable to "make" Vitamin C themselves and must get it from their diet.

At the end of the study all the guinea pigs were tested in a water maze and had their hippocampal neuron numbers measured (neurons in their brain). The results showed that the group of guinea pigs who had been fed a Vitamin C deficient diet performed worst in the water maze AND had lower numbers of neurons in the hippocampus.

While a direct link to humans can of course not be made at this time, this study does suggest that Vitamin C plays an important role in the development of the brain and the lead professor on this study (Professor Jens Lykkesfeldt, professor of pharmacology and toxicology at the University of Copenhagen) believes further clinical studies should be made to ascertain such a link.

Why would such a link exist?

At any time, Vitamin C levels in the body are highest in the brain. Studies have shown that even if you have temporary periods of low vitamin C intake, the level of Vitamin C in your brain remains stable, suggesting that this is the last place it "goes" from. Therefore, scientists speculate that Vitamin C could be an essential element of brain health.

Who is at risk?

Vitamin C levels in most people in the UK are sufficient, partly due to the significant numbers who supplement their diet with this vitamin. However, it is estimated that 5-10% of the population could be deficient. If this study on guinea pigs, does suggest a similar effect of low Vitamin C on human newborns, then pregnant women who are also deficient in Vitamin C will pass this deficiency on to their foetus. If they then breastfeed their babies (which is always advised), this deficiency will be extended. The study on guinea pigs suggests that there is a chance such a deficiency could lead to learning difficulties for that child.

What should we do?

The researchers of this study are quick to point out it is too early to make a direct association with humans. However, there is a temptation to act now because the results are so severe compared to the solution - simply giving a Vitamin C supplement to high risk pregnant mothers. There are many supplements on the market for pregnant women and these all include a suitable dose of Vitamin C. While a proportion of pregnant mothers take these supplements, they tend not to be from the socio-economic group that are likely to be deficient in Vitamin C. So while it is too early to suggest this now, perhaps it will soon be time for the NHS to start offering a Vitamin C supplement to high risk groups, and hopefully alleviate much greater problems in the future.