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Anitra Carr 2021 imageDirector, Nutrition in Medicine Research Group
Principal Investigator

BSc(Hons)(Cant), PhD(Otago)

Email anitra.carr@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 364 0649

Research interests

Renowned for her expertise around the roles of vitamin C in human health and disease, Anitra’s translational research spans the impact and mechanisms of action of oral and intravenous vitamin C within diverse health conditions such as infection and sepsis, obesity and diabetes, cancer, and subjective mood. Anitra conducts a variety of studies, including observational, pharmacokinetic, and randomised controlled trials. She has produced a number of high impact publications that have helped inform international guidelines around recommended dietary intakes for vitamin C.

Anitra obtained her PhD from the University of Otago, Christchurch, followed by an American Heart Association Postdoctoral Fellowship, carried out at the Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, USA, culminating in promotion to Assistant Professor. Professor Carr returned to the University of Otago, Christchurch, and was awarded a four-year Health Research Council of New Zealand Sir Charles Hercus Health Research Fellowship (2016) to undertake research into the role of vitamin C in severe infection. She was promoted to Associate Professor in 2018 and Research Professor in 2024.

Recognising her sustained research excellence, Anitra was awarded the University of Otago Christchurch Gold Medal in 2021. Anitra has also served on the Editorial Boards of Nutrients and Antioxidants and as an Associate Editor for Nutrition Research. Passionate about knowledge dissemination, Anitra engages in ongoing community outreach and has established a Continuing Medical Education program for healthcare professionals.

Research expertise

Vitamin C bioavailability and health effects; recommended dietary intakes; severe infection and sepsis; obesity and diabetes; fatigue and quality of life; subjective mood; cancer; clinical studies.

In the media

Affiliations

Google scholar listing

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Publications

Vlasiuk, E., Zawari, M., Storer, M., Maze, M. J., Williman, J., Chambers, S. T., & Carr, A. C. (2024). SunGold kiwifruit consumption restores adequate to optimal vitamin C status in people with a history of severe respiratory infections. Antioxidants, 13, 272. doi: 10.3390/antiox13030272

Lykkesfeldt, J., & Carr, A. C. (2024). Vitamin C. Advances in Nutrition, 15, 100155. doi: 10.1016/j.advnut.2023.100155

Lykkesfeldt, J., & Carr, A. C. (2023). Vitamin C: A scoping review for Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023. Food & Nutrition Research, 67, 10300. doi: 10.29219/fnr.v67.10300

Carr, A. C., Lunt, H., Wareham, N. J., & Myint, P. K. (2023). Estimating vitamin C intake requirements in diabetes mellitus: Analysis of NHANES 2017-2018 and EPIC-Norfolk cohorts. Antioxidants, 12(10), 1863. doi: 10.3390/antiox12101863

Carr, A. C., Vlasiuk, E., Zawari, M., Scott-Thomas, A., Storer, M., Maze, M., & Chambers, S. T. (2023). Low vitamin C concentrations in patients with community-acquired pneumonia resolved with pragmatic administration of intravenous and oral vitamin C. Antioxidants, 12, 1610. doi: 10.3390/antiox12081610

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