In the News: Vitamin C Supplementation Improves Mental Vitality

Vitamin C Supplementation Improves Mental Vitality

Supplementation with vitamin C was associated with beneficial changes in the gut microbiome, reduced inflammation, and improvements in measures linked to mental vitality, according to a study published in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity.*

Forty healthy adults aged 20-39 with inadequate serum vitamin C levels (< 50 μM) received either 500 mg of vitamin C or a placebo twice daily for 4 weeks.

The study examined whether vitamin C could improve mental vitality by altering the gut microbiome and reducing inflammation.

Vitamin C supplementation increased two beneficial gut bacteria (Bacillaceae and Anaerotruncus) and decreased a group of bacteria associated with inflammation (Desulfovibrio).

Participants with the largest reductions in Desul- fovibrio had the following benefits:

• Better attention and cognitive performance,
• Greater increases in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein linked to learning, memory, and brain plasticity, and
• Stronger associations between levels of L-DOPA (a precursor to dopamine) and work engagement scores.

The vitamin C group also showed reduced inflammatory markers, with stronger immune changes in participants with greater decreases in Desulfovibrio.

Editor's Note: The researchers concluded, "This study provides insights into vitamin C supplementation as a critical dietary intervention, as it may modulate mental health through its influence on the gut-brain-immune axis."

^* Brain Behav Immun. . 2025 Aug:128:179-191.

Effect of Risk Factors on Cardiovascular Disease and Death

A study from the Global Cardio-vascular Risk Consortium analyzed data from more than two million individuals to assess how five cardiovascular risk factors influenced both lifetime cardiovascular disease risk and overall life expectancy.*

These risk factors included hypertension, elevated non-HDL cholesterol, abnormal body weight (underweight and overweight/obesity), diabetes, and smoking.

At age 50, the lifetime cardiovascular disease risk was 38% for men with all five risk factors versus 21% for those with none. Among women, the risk was 24% versus 13%, respectively.

Men who reached age 50 without these risk factors gained an estimated 10.6 additional years free of cardiovascular disease and lived about 11.8 years longer than those with all five risk factors. Women gained 13.3 years free of cardiovascular disease and lived about 14.5 years longer.

Not smoking was associated with about 5 additional years free of cardiovascular disease, while avoiding diabetes added 4-6 years. Controlling hypertension between ages 55-59 produced the greatest increase in years free of cardiovascular disease, while quitting smoking during the same time period yielded the largest survival benefit.

Editor's Note: Because this was an observational study, the findings show associations rather than cause and effect. Other factors such as diet, physical activity, and socioeconomic conditions could influence outcomes.

^* N Engl J Med. 2025 Sep 25;393(12):1246.

Engineered Stem Cells Reduce Signs of Aging in Monkeys

Researchers have genetically engineered a type of stem cell called human mesenchymal progenitor cells to be able to resist cellular senescence and stress, creating senescence-resistant cells that reversed signs of aging in monkeys.*

In a 44-week study, aged macaques (monkeys) received biweekly intravenous injections of the senescence-resistant human mesenchymal progenitor cells.

Compared to controls, treated animals showed reduced markers of cellular senescence, chronic inflammation, and tissue degeneration across multiple organs.

The treatment was also associated with improved measures of brain structure and function metrics, including increased cortical thickness, better white matter integrity, improved hippocampal connectivity, and improved performance on cognitive tests.

There were also improvements in markers of reproductive aging.

Many of these effects were linked in part to tiny messenger particles (called exosomes) released by the senescence-resistant cells, which carry signals to nearby cells and may help reduce markers of cellular aging.

No major adverse effects were reported during the study period.

Editor's Note: The authors concluded: "This study provides initial evidence that genetically modified human mesenchymal progenitors can slow primate aging, highlighting the therapeutic potential of regenerative approaches in combating age-related health decline."

^* Cell. 2025 Sep 4;188(18):5039-5061.e35.

Testing for Leaky Gut

A growing area of medical research is focusing on intestinal permeability¹—often referred to as "leaky gut"—a condition in which the intestinal barrier becomes less effective at regulating what passes from the digestive tract into the bloodstream.

Increased intestinal permeability has been associated with inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, autoimmune disorders, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.² However, altered intestinal permeability can also occur in individuals without obvious digestive symptoms.³

In a healthy state, the gut lining allows water, electrolytes, and fully digested nutrients to pass into the bloodstream, while preventing larger molecules and potentially harmful substances from crossing the gut wall.⁴

When the barrier becomes compromised, undigested food, bacteria, toxins, and other inflammatory substances may enter circulation more easily.⁵

This altered permeability has been studied as a potential contributor to systemic inflammation, immune dysregulation, and chronic health concerns in susceptible individuals.⁴

Intestinal barrier function can be evaluated through specialized laboratory testing. A valuable gut test measures the body's immune system response to key markers involved with intestinal barrier permeability, including Candida albicans, zonulin, occludin, and lipopolysaccharides (LPS).

Positive reactivity to one or more of these markers may suggest a compromised intestinal barrier and increased immune exposure to substances normally contained within the gut.

This finger stick blood spot test is available through Life Extension (Item #LC900004) by visiting www.LifeExtension.com/bloodgut or calling 1-800-544-4440.

References

1. Autoimmun Rev. 2023 Jun;22(6):103331.
2. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2019 Jan;23(2):795-810.
3. Gastroenterology. 2020 Dec;159(6):2092-100.e5.
4. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009 Jul;124(1):3-20; quiz 1-2.
5. BMC Gastroenterol. 2014 Nov 18;14:189.