Vitamin C

Vitamin C and Miscarriage

Low vitamin C linked to recurrent miscarriage

Low plasma levels of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) have been found in women who habitually miscarry.

http://www.lifeissues.net/writers/feh/feh_15vitamin_c.html

High vitamin C linked to preterm delivery

Increased maternal circulating vitamin C concentrations and increased oxidative stress are associated with preterm delivery.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19141991

Low vitamin C in miscarriage with autoimmune, luteal phase or unexplained causes

Plasma levels of vitamin C and vitamin E were significantly decreased in autoimmune recurrent miscarriage, unexplained recurrent miscarriage and luteal phase defect recurrent miscarriage subgroups than those in two control groups and the anatomical defect recurrent miscarriage group. We suggest that decreased concentrations of plasma vitamin C and vitamin E in unexplained, autoimmune and luteal phase defect recurrent miscarriage reflect the increased oxidative stress, expressing a progress of the condition. Also, the imbalance between antioxidant defence and free radical activity is more evident in the autoimmune recurrent miscarriage subgroup. As a conclusion, although impaired antioxidant defence may be responsible for recurrent miscarriage, the recurrent miscarriage may also result in oxidative stress and depletion and weakness of antioxidant defence.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10767402

Vitamin C and Hormones

Vitamin C deficiency damages ovaries

Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) deficiency produces ovarian atrophy and extensive follicular atresia.

750 mg vitamin C increases progesterone levels

After one cycle of Vitamin C (750 mg/day - until pregancy was confirmed or 3 months) treatment, serum progesterone and estrogen levels were significantly elevated in the treatment group but not in the control group (serum progesterone: control group mean 8.73 ng/ml, treatment group 13.27 ng/ml; estradiol: control group 104.3 pg/mL, treatment group 138.7 pg/mL. Nineteen patients (25%) in the ascorbic acid supplementation group and 5 patients (11%) in the control group became clinically pregnant. Miscarriage rates were 16% and 20% in the ascorbic acid group and the control group, respectively; these rates did not significantly differ. All pregnancies occurred in patients in whom the luteal phase defect resolved, whether spontaneously or as a result of vitamin C supplementation.

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Karim_Al-Jashamy/publication/261309731_Effects_of_Vitamin_C_on_the_Endometrial_Thickness_and_Ovarian_Hormones_of_Progesterone_and_Estrogen_in_Married_and_Unmarried_Women/links/0c960533f920b4cd59000000.pdf

Vitamin C and Stress

Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) modulates catecholaminergic activity, decreases stress reactivity, approach anxiety and prolactin release, improves vascular function, and increases oxytocin release.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12208645