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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 3677

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.

Anitra is currently ranked the #1 vitamin C scholar worldwide (prior 5 years; >50,450 scholars), and is in the top 10 vitamin C scholars over lifetime (>73,500 scholars; ScholarGPS).

In the media

Affiliations

Google scholar listing

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Publications

Al-Busaidi, I. S., Carr, A. C., Harris, C., Mangin, D., & Hudson, B. (2026). Mapping the service models and outcomes from general practitioners with special interests/extended roles in Aotearoa New Zealand: A scoping review. Journal of Primary Health Care. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1071/HC25174 Journal - Research Other

Wilson, R. B., Liang, Y., Kaushal, D., & Carr, A. (2026). Relationship between hypovitaminosis C, obesity, and features of metabolic syndrome: A narrative review. Nutrition Reviews. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuaf230 Journal - Research Article

Carr, A. C. (2025). Intravenous vitamin C as a primary cause of renal failure is not supported by the evidence base. New Zealand Medical Journal/Te ara tika o te hauora hapori, 138(1627), 141-143. doi: 10.26635/6965.7264 Journal - Research Other

Crequer, N., McCall, C., Swanson, A., Vlasiuk, E., Chambers, S. T., & Carr, A. C. (2025). Clustering of community-acquired pneumonia in hospitalised adults in the Christchurch Region: association with socio-economic deprivation. New Zealand Medical Journal/Te ara tika o te hauora hapori, 138(1617), 85-99. doi: 10.26635/6965.6905 Journal - Research Article

Carr, A. C., Frampton, C., & Lunt, H. (2025). Metabolic syndrome is associated with increased vitamin C requirements in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Nutrition Research, 141(3), 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2025.07.003 Journal - Research Article

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