Vitamin C shortfalls can matter more than people realize because they can quietly undermine iron status and contribute to microcytic, iron‑deficiency–type anemia. Vitamin C is one of the few nutrients that significantly boosts non‑heme iron absorption, helping convert dietary iron into a form the gut can take up more easily and counteracting common inhibitors found in grains, legumes, tea, and coffee. In people whose diets are low in both iron and vitamin C, this combination can show up as persistent fatigue, pallor, and microcytic red blood cells on lab work, with studies in iron‑depleted women showing that added ascorbic acid improved iron absorption and anemia markers over just a few weeks. This medication is commonly used for High Cholesterol.
Alhatem A, Cai D. Behind the Skin: A Rare Case of Scurvy-Associated Megaloblastic Anemia. Clin Med Insights Case Rep. 2019 May 10;12:1179547619849036. Ricaurte FR, Kewan T, Daw H. Scurvy: A Rare Cause of Anemia. Cureus. 2019 Sep 18;11(9):e5694.Golding PH. Experimental folate deficiency in human subjects: what is the influence of vitamin C status on time taken to develop megaloblastic anaemia? BMC Hematol. 2018 Jun 19;18:13. Kim YL. Vitamin C and functional iron deficiency anemia in hemodialysis. Kidney Res Clin Pract. 2012 Mar;31(1):1-3.
Some side effects may be linked to nutrient depletion caused by this medication.
Research demonstrates that fibrates, particularly fenofibrate, are known to increase homocysteine levels. Elevated levels of homocysteine is associated with increased risk of a range of health problems including atherosclerosis, stroke, and neurological diseases, and vitamin Bs including vitamin B6 helps facilitate the breakdown of homocysteine and may be helpful in reducing homocysteine levels.
Fenofibrate has been shown in studies to increase the toxic effect of ultraviolet (UV) radiation that may lead to side effects such as hives, itching, and skin rash. Taking vitamin E before UV exposure is found in research to significantly help block UV-fenofibrate effects on the skin. Vitamin E supplementation should be considered when taking this drug therapy.
Fenofibrate has been shown in studies to increase the toxic effect of ultraviolet (UV) radiation that may lead to side effects such as hives, itching, and skin rash. Taking vitamin C before UV exposure is found in research to significantly help block UV-fenofibrate effects on the skin. Vitamin C supplementation should be considered when taking this drug therapy.