Vitamin C
Synopsis of vitamin C
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin and an essential nutrient that plays a pivotal role in maintaining immune function, collagen synthesis, and antioxidant defense. It is widely found in fruits and vegetables, particularly citrus fruits (like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits), berries, kiwi, bell peppers, and leafy greens. As a potent antioxidant, vitamin C helps neutralize free radicals, reducing oxidative stress that contributes to the aging process and the development of chronic diseases, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Vitamin C is necessary for the synthesis of collagen, a structural protein that supports the health of skin, blood vessels, bones, and cartilage. It also enhances the absorption of iron from plant-based sources and supports the nervous system by contributing to the synthesis of neurotransmitters such as dopamine. Vitamin C’s role in the immune system is also crucial, as it supports the production of white blood cells and helps the body fight infections.
Because it is water-soluble and cannot be stored in the body, vitamin C must be replenished daily through diet or supplementation. Deficiency in vitamin C can lead to scurvy, a condition characterized by weakness, fatigue, gum disease, and bruising.
Historical Use:
Vitamin C has a rich history in medicine, particularly in its role in preventing scurvy, a disease that plagued sailors on long sea voyages due to the lack of fresh fruits and vegetables in their diet. As early as the 16th century, James Lind, a Scottish physician, conducted experiments that demonstrated the efficacy of citrus fruits in preventing scurvy. He found that sailors who consumed lemons or oranges did not suffer from the disease, whereas those who did not have access to fresh fruits developed severe scurvy symptoms.
Despite this discovery, it wasn't until the 18th century that citrus fruits were widely used to prevent scurvy, and the vitamin C connection was not fully understood until the 20th century. In the early 1900s, researchers identified vitamin C as the essential nutrient responsible for preventing scurvy and understood its role in collagen synthesis and wound healing.
In the 1930s, Albert Szent-Györgyi, a Hungarian scientist, isolated vitamin C from paprika, eventually leading to the identification of ascorbic acid as the compound responsible for preventing scurvy. This discovery earned Szent-Györgyi the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1937.
In the 20th century, vitamin C gained widespread popularity for its immune-boosting properties, especially during the flu season. It was heavily promoted by figures like Linus Pauling, a two-time Nobel laureate, who advocated for high-dose vitamin C supplementation as a preventive measure against the common cold and other illnesses. Although Pauling’s claims about vitamin C’s effectiveness in preventing colds have been met with some skepticism, the vitamin's role in immune function remains well-supported by scientific research.
Vitamin C is used for these health conditions
Abrasions (Scientific)
Abscesses (Scientific)
Acne (Scientific)
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Scientific)
Addictions (general remedies for) (Traditional)
Addison's Disease (Traditional)
Adrenal Fatigue (Scientific)
Age Spots (Scientific)
Aging (prevention) (Scientific)
Alcoholism (Scientific)
Allergies (food) (Scientific)
Allergies (respiratory) (Scientific)
Alzheimer's Disease (Scientific)
Anal Fistula or Fissure (Traditional)
Anemia (Scientific)
Antibiotics (alternatives to) (Scientific)
Antibiotics (side effects of) (Scientific)
Anxiety (Scientific)
Arteriosclerosis (Scientific)
Arthritis (Scientific)
Asthma (Scientific)
Athletic and Exercise Aids (Scientific)
Autism (Scientific)
Autoimmune Disorders (Scientific)
Bell's Palsy (Traditional)
Bites and Stings (Traditional)
Bladder Infection (Traditional)
Bleeding (external) (Scientific)
Bleeding (internal) (Scientific)
Blood Poisoning (Scientific)
Boils (Traditional)
Bronchitis (Traditional)
Bruises (healing) (Scientific)
Bruises (prevention) (Scientific)
Burns and Scalds (Scientific)
Cancer (natural therapy for) (Scientific)
Cancer (prevention) (Scientific)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects) (Scientific)
Canker Sores (Scientific)
Capillary Weakness (Scientific)
Carbuncles (Scientific)
Cardiovascular Disease (Scientific)
Cartilage Damage (Scientific)
Cataracts (Scientific)
Cervical Dysplasia (Scientific)
Chemical Poisoning (Scientific)
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects) (Scientific)
Chicken Pox (Traditional)
Cholesterol (high) (Scientific)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (Scientific)
Cold Sores (Traditional)
Colds (antiviral) (Scientific)
Colds (decongestant) (Scientific)
Colds (general) (Scientific)
Colds (prevention) (Scientific)
Colds (with fever) (Traditional)
Colon (atonic) (Traditional)
Congestion (Scientific)
Congestion (bronchial) (Traditional)
Congestion (lungs) (Scientific)
Congestion (sinus) (Scientific)
Conjunctivitis (Scientific)
Contagious Diseases (Scientific)
Convalescence (Scientific)
Copper Toxicity (Scientific)
Cough (dry) (Traditional)
Cough (general) (Scientific)
Cuts (Scientific)
Cystic Breast Disease (Scientific)
Cystic Fibrosis (Scientific)
Debility (Traditional)
Dementia (Scientific)
Denture Sores (Scientific)
Depression (Scientific)
Diabetes (Scientific)
Diabetic Retinopathy (Scientific)
Environmental Pollution (Scientific)
Epstein Barr Virus (Scientific)
Eye Problems (Scientific)
Eyesight (poor) (Scientific)
Fatigue (Scientific)
Fatty Liver Disease (Scientific)
Free Radical Damage (Scientific)
Gall Stones (Scientific)
Gastritis (Scientific)
Gingivitis (Scientific)
Glaucoma (Scientific)
Gonorrhea (Traditional)
Gout (Scientific)
Hair (loss or thinning) (Scientific)
Hair Care (general) (Scientific)
Heart (weakness) (Scientific)
Heavy Metal Poisoning (Scientific)
Hemorrhoids (Traditional)
Hepatitis (Traditional)
Herpes (Scientific)
Hot Flashes (Traditional)
Hypertension (Scientific)
Infection (Scientific)
Infection (bacterial) (Scientific)
Infection (viral) (Scientific)
Infertility (Scientific)
Inflammation (Scientific)
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders (Scientific)
Influenza (Scientific)
Injuries (Scientific)
Knees (weak) (Scientific)
Laryngitis (Traditional)
Lead Poisoning (Scientific)
Lesions (Scientific)
Leucorrhea (Traditional)
Leukemia (Scientific)
Ligaments (torn or injured) (Scientific)
Liver Detoxification (Scientific)
Lyme Disease (Traditional)
Macular Degeneration (Scientific)
Mastitis (Traditional)
Measles (Traditional)
Memory and Brain Function (Scientific)
Menorrhagia (Traditional)
Menstrual Irregularity (Traditional)
Menstruation (scant) (Traditional)
Metabolic Syndrome (Scientific)
Mononucleosis (Traditional)
Mumps (Traditional)
Nose Bleeds (Scientific)
Oral Surgery (Scientific)
Osteoporosis (Scientific)
Pancreatitis (Scientific)
PMS (general) (Traditional)
PMS Type C (Traditional)
PMS Type H (Traditional)
Pneumonia (Scientific)
Post Partum Weakness (Traditional)
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for) (Scientific)
Progesterone (low) (Scientific)
Prolapsed Uterus (Traditional)
Prostatitis (Traditional)
Radiation Sickness (Scientific)
Rashes and Hives (Traditional)
Restless Leg Syndrome (Scientific)
Rheumatoid Arthritis (Scientific)
Rhinitis (Scientific)
Rhinitis, Allergic (Scientific)
Rosacea (Scientific)
Scars / Scar Tissue (Scientific)
Schizophrenia (Scientific)
Scratches and Abrasions (Scientific)
Scurvy (Scientific)
Shingles (Scientific)
Shock (Scientific)
Sinus Infection (Traditional)
Skin (infections) (Scientific)
Skin Care (general) (Scientific)
Sore Throat (Traditional)
Spider Veins (Scientific)
Spinal Disks (Scientific)
Sprains (Scientific)
Strep Throat (Traditional)
Stretch Marks (Scientific)
Sunburn (Scientific)
Surgery (healing from) (Scientific)
Surgery (preparation for) (Scientific)
Teeth (loose) (Scientific)
Tendonitis (Scientific)
Thrush (Traditional)
Tickle in Throat (Traditional)
Tonsillitis (Traditional)
Tooth Extraction (Scientific)
Toxemia (Scientific)
Triglycerides (high) (Scientific)
Tuberculosis (Scientific)
Ulcerations (external) (Scientific)
Ulcers (Scientific)
Uric Acid Retention (Scientific)
Urinary Tract Infections (Traditional)
Vaginitis (Scientific)
Varicose Veins (Scientific)
Warts (Traditional)
Wounds and Sores (Scientific)
Wrinkles (Scientific)
vitamin C is used to support these body systems
Adrenal Glands (Scientific)
Adrenal Medulla (Scientific)
Arteries (Scientific)
Blood (Scientific)
Brain (Scientific)
Capillaries (Scientific)
Circulatory System (Scientific)
Dopamine (Scientific)
Eyes (Scientific)
Gastrointestinal Tract (Scientific)
Glandular System (Scientific)
Gums (Scientific)
Hair (Scientific)
Heart (Scientific)
Immune System (Scientific)
Immune System (Scientific)
Intestinal System (Scientific)
Joints (Scientific)
Liver (Scientific)
Lungs (Scientific)
Mucus Membranes (Scientific)
Muscles (Scientific)
Nails (Scientific)
Respiratory System (Scientific)
Sinuses (Scientific)
Skeletal System (Bones) (Scientific)
Skin (Scientific)
Spinal Disks (Scientific)
Structural System (Scientific)
Teeth (Scientific)
Testes (Scientific)
Thymus (Scientific)
Tonsils (Traditional)
Veins (Scientific)
Veins (Scientific)
Vocal Cords (Scientific)
Products containing vitamin C
Nature's Sunshine Love and Peas (Sugar Free)
Nature's Sunshine Adrenal Support
Nature's Sunshine Bowel Detox
Nature's Sunshine Children's Elderberry Immune
Nature's Sunshine Children's MultiVitamin & Mineral
Nature's Sunshine Cortisol Formula (Nature's Cortisol Formula)
Nature's Sunshine Defense Maintenance
Nature's Sunshine Detox Basics (Best used by 7/31/25)
Nature's Sunshine Dieter's Cleanse
Nature's Sunshine Glandular System
Nature's Sunshine Grapine With Protectors (SynerPro)
Nature's Sunshine Hepatic System
Nature's Sunshine Iron (Chelated)
Nature's Sunshine Love and Peas
Nature's Sunshine Marine Collagen
Nature's Sunshine Master Gland Formula®
Nature's Sunshine Mega-Chel
Nature's Sunshine Milk Thistle Combination
Nature's Sunshine MultiVitamin & Mineral (SynerPro)
Nature's Sunshine MultiVitamin & Mineral (Time Release)
Nature's Sunshine Natural Changes
Nature's Sunshine Nature's Prenatal
Nature's Sunshine Nature's Harvest
Nature's Sunshine Nervous System (30 Day Program)
Nature's Sunshine Nutri-Calm
Nature's Sunshine Nutri-Calm
Nature's Sunshine Perfect Eyes
Nature's Sunshine Power Beets Pouch
Nature's Sunshine Power Beets To-Go Packs
Nature's Sunshine Power Greens
Nature's Sunshine Power Greens To-Go
Nature's Sunshine Skeletal Strength
Nature's Sunshine Solstic Twenty-Four
Nature's Sunshine Solstic Immune
Nature's Sunshine Solstic Revive
Nature's Sunshine Structural System (30 Day Program)
Nature's Sunshine Super Supplemental
Nature's Sunshine Super Supplemental (Without Iron)
Nature's Sunshine Super Trio
Nature's Sunshine Vari-Gone
Nature's Sunshine Vitamin C (1000 mg, Time Release)
Nature's Sunshine Vitamin C (1000 mg, Time Release)
Nature's Sunshine Vitamin C Ascorbates
Nature's Sunshine Chewable Vitamin C
Nature's Sunshine Citrus Bioflavonoids (Vitamin C)
Nature's Sunshine Zinc Lozenge
