HIGH PLASMA VITAMIN-C ASSOCIATED WITH HIGH PLASMA HDL-CHOLESTEROL ANDHDL(2)-CHOLESTEROL

High plasma vitamin C may lower risk of cardiovascular disease as indi cated by direct association with plasma high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and HDL(2) cholesterol. Plasma lipids and vitamin C were determined in 316 women and 511 men (aged 19-95 y). After adjustment f or age, sex, obesity, and smoking, plasma vitamin C was directly assoc iated with HDL- (P = 0.01) and HDL(2) cholesterol (P = 0.0002). When m en and women with diseases that might affect lipids were excluded, ass ociations between plasma vitamin C and HDL- and HDL(2) cholesterol per sisted, though the relationships were strongest in older men. Comparis ons of diets in a subset (n = 485) who completed 7-d diet records were made. Total fat, saturated fatty acids, energy from fat, and choleste rol intakes were not associated with plasma vitamin C. Mean intakes of vitamin C were well above recommended dietary allowances. These findi ngs suggest that high plasma concentrations of vitamin C may lower ath erogenic risk.