From the Guidelines
Vitamin C deficiency can indeed cause leukocytosis, characterized by an elevated white blood cell count, as it plays a crucial role in regulating the epigenome and preventing the over-proliferation of leukocyte precursors in bone marrow [1@].
Key Findings
- The regulation of the epigenome by vitamin C may comprise a major role in its pleiotropic health-promoting and disease-modifying effects, including the prevention of leukocytosis [1@].
- Vitamin C has been shown to prevent the progression of hematopoietic stem cells to a leukemic phenotype in a TET-dependent manner [1@].
- Preliminary human intervention studies have indicated that intravenous vitamin C can improve clinical remission and survival in acute myeloid leukemia patients, particularly those with TET and related mutations [1@].
Clinical Implications
- Vitamin C supplementation may be necessary to correct the underlying deficiency and normalize white blood cell counts [1@].
- The minimum dose of vitamin C required to induce epigenetic changes and prevent leukocytosis is not yet established, but a dose of 500 mg/d has been shown to induce epigenetic changes in patients with myeloid cancer [1@].
- Further research is needed to determine the optimal dose and duration of vitamin C supplementation for the prevention and treatment of leukocytosis and other non-communicable diseases [1
From the Research
Vitamin C Deficiency and Leukocytosis
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies that links Vitamin C deficiency to leukocytosis (increased white blood cell count) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
- The studies primarily focus on the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of scurvy, a disease caused by Vitamin C deficiency, and its effects on various bodily systems, but do not specifically address the relationship between Vitamin C deficiency and white blood cell count.
- Some studies mention laboratory findings such as anemia, hypocholesterolemia, and hypoalbuminemia in patients with Vitamin C deficiency, but leukocytosis is not mentioned as a common finding 2, 4, 5.
- One study notes that the patient's condition improved with Vitamin C supplementation, including resolution of skin lesions and joint contractures, but does not provide information on white blood cell count 2.
- Another study mentions that the patient's hemoglobin level improved with Vitamin C supplementation, but again, does not provide information on white blood cell count 4.