Children of Smokers Have Lower Vitamin C Level

Published on: March 1, 2003

by Melissa T. Shultz

A new study suggests that children whose parents expose them to secondhand smoke may have lower levels of Vitamin C than children who are not exposed.

Previous studies have shown that smoking directly affects the smoker by depleting his/her vitamin C stores. This study reveals that it is not just the smoker who is impacted. Even low amounts of secondhand smoke can decrease a child’s vitamin C level.

Vitamin C serves many important roles in your good health. It helps produce collagen that holds muscles, bones and other tissues together; protects you from bruising; helps you absorb iron and folate; keeps your gums healthy; helps heal cuts and wounds; protects you from infection and is a powerful antioxidant - which means it helps neutralize cell-damaging substances in the body called free radicals. Smoking, promotes free radical damage. This damage is thought to affect aging and ongoing disease.

The study’s authors recommend that children who are exposed to secondhand smoke eat more vitamin C-rich foods or take supplements. Many foods are now fortified with vitamin C including juices. Check the nutrition facts label for the amount per serving. Child-friendly foods that are good sources of vitamin C include: broccoli - ½ cup cooked has 60 mg., tangerines - one medium has 25 mg, strawberries -½ cup has 45 mg, and red bell peppers - ½ cup has 95 mg.

Parents should most importantly, quit smoking.

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