NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A new research review published in Seminars in Preventive and Alternative Medicine (vol. 3, iss. 1, pp. 25-35) shows that vitamin C may help protect against a range of health disorders, including immune system deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, prenatal health problems, eye disease and cancer. The article, titled "Vitamin C Dietary Supplements: An Objective Review of the Clinical Evidence, Part I," examines data from clinical trials over the past several decades to reveal the growing evidence of vitamin C's benefits.

The research review, conducted by lead author Mark A. Moyad, MD, MPH of University of Michigan, examined over 100 studies in more than ten different medical specialties that evaluated vitamin C as both a standalone supplement and as a nutrient used to enhance combination products. Emerging from the analysis is evidence that suggests that vitamin C by itself may provide a significant amount of the health benefits attributed to the combination products. The data further suggests that certain vitamin C-containing metabolite formulations, such as Ester-C, may be even more effective than C alone and provide longer-lasting immune enhancement with lower risk of side effects.

"Vitamin C has received more clinical and commercial attention than any other dietary supplement, and for good reason," said Dr. Moyad. "The more we study vitamin C the more we appreciate its diversity in protecting our health. For example a recently published meta-analysis(1) showed vitamin C to be beneficial to those whose immune systems may be weakened due to stress, something common to most people in today's society."

Dr. Moyad and his team are currently designing a clinical study to compare standalone vitamin C with the Ester-C formulation. In one of the largest human studies of its kind to date, the team plans to determine just how effective the nutrient is in impacting the immune system and its related disorders.

About Seminars in Preventive and Alternative Medicine

Seminars in Preventive and Alternative Medicine, an Elsevier publication, is devoted to speeding the delivery of essential information regarding preventive measures (both mainstream and complementary to physicians who strive to offer their patients the full range of options for treating cancer as well as chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, and chronic pain.

(1) Douglas RM, Hemila H, Chalker E, Treacy B. Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2004, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD000980. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000980.pub3