Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin C
For the health condition: Anxiety
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has been investigated for its potential role in supporting mental health, including anxiety, but the scientific evidence is modest and somewhat preliminary. Several small clinical studies and animal experiments suggest that vitamin C may help reduce anxiety levels, possibly due to its antioxidant properties and its involvement in neurotransmitter synthesis. For example, a randomized controlled trial published in Pak J Biol Sci (2013) found that medical students who received 500 mg of vitamin C daily reported significantly reduced anxiety compared to a placebo group. Another small study in adolescents found similar results. These findings are supported by basic science research indicating that oxidative stress may contribute to anxiety and that vitamin C, being a potent antioxidant, could help counteract this effect.
However, these studies are limited by small sample sizes, short duration, and methodological weaknesses. Systematic reviews of nutritional interventions for anxiety usually note that while vitamin C shows promise, the data are insufficient to draw firm conclusions about its efficacy. There is no strong traditional use of vitamin C specifically for anxiety—its use in this context is driven by more recent scientific hypotheses and preliminary trials. More rigorous, large-scale clinical studies are needed to confirm whether vitamin C supplementation can consistently and significantly reduce anxiety symptoms. Currently, vitamin C should not be considered a primary or stand-alone treatment for anxiety, but it may play a supportive role as part of a broader approach to mental health.
Other ingredients used for Anxiety
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Aconite
Agarwood
Agastache
Agmatine
Agrimony
Albizia
Alpha lactalbumin
alpha-pinene
alpha-terpineol
amino acids
Amor seco
anamu
Anemone
aniracetam
anise
apigenin
Ardisia
ash
ashwagandha
Asteraceae
Bacopa
Bacopin
bacoside
bacteria
baicalein
baicalin
Baikal Skullcap
balsam
basil
bayleaf
bee products
benegut perilla (proprietary)
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
betony
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
black cumin
black seed
blackboard tree
Bombax
borneol
brahmi
Bupleurum
bupleurum falcatum
calamus
Calea zacatechichi
California poppy
Camellia sinensis
cannabidiol
cannabigerol
Cannabis sativa oil
Canscora
capillary artemisia
Capitate Valerian
cardamom
caryophyllene
catnip
catuaba
Centella asiatica
Centella triterpenes
chamomile
Chinese raisintree
Chinese salvia root
chrysanthemum
Cinnamomum
citron
Clary sage
Clerodendrum indicum
Clostridium butyricum
clove
cocoa
Convolvulus pluricaulis
Convolvulus prostratus
cordyceps
cowslip
Curcuma
curcumin
Cymbopogon martini
damiana
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
dodeca-2E, 4E-dienoic acid isobutylamide
dragonhead
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
Erythrina
essential oil blend
eugenol
fatty acids
fennel
Ficus religiosa
fragrant rosewood
fungus
ganoderma
gardenia
Gardenia jasminoides
gastrodia
gastrodin
Gelsemium
geranium
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
Ginsenosides
Glycine
gotu kola
Greek mountain tea
green tea
Griffonia simplicifolia
guayusa
heal-all
hemp
hemp oil
Herb Robert
herbal blend (proprietary)
hericium mushroom
honeybush
Honokiol
hops
hyperforin
Hypericum
Hyperoside
Ilex
Indian fagonia
Indian tinospora
indigo leaves
inositol
iridoids
isoliquiritigenin
jasmine
Jatamansi
jujube
jujubosides
kanna
kava
kavalactones
Kefir
kudzu
L-glycine
L-theanine
L-tryptophan
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactium casein decapeptide
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus helveticus
Lactobacillus johnsonii
Lactobacillus paracasei
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lactucarium
Lactucopicrin
Large-leaved linden
Lavandin
lavender
lemon balm
lemongrass
ligustilides
limonene
linalool
linden
lingzhi
lion's mane
lithium orotate
Litsea
longan
lotus
lupulinum
Lycopodium
maca
magnesium
magnolia
magnolol
Marjoram
Matcha
Melatonin
Mentha haplocalyx
Menthol oil
Mesembrine
Mimosa
Mimulus
Mint
Monkey flower
Monoterpenes
Motherwort
Mugwort
Muira puama
Mulungu
Myrcene
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Nardostachys
Nigella seed
Nutmeg
Nymphaea caerulea
Nymphaea nouchali
omega-3 fatty acids
oolong tea
oriental arborvitae
Oroxylum indicum
Osmanthus
Oxindole alkaloids
paeoniflorin
passionflower
Passionfruit
Patchouli oil
peony
Petiveria
Phellodendron
phellodendron amurense
Phenylpropanoids
phosphatidylserine
phytocannabinoids
Plectranthus amboinicus
Polygala
polygala root
poppy
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
pregnenolone
prepared aconite tuber
probiotics
Puerain
Pulsatilla
Purple Monkeyflower
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
Rauvolfia
reishi mushroom
relora® (proprietary)
rhizome
Rhodiola
Rooibos
rosavins
rose
rose oil
rosemary
rosmarinic acid
rue
saffron
Safranal
sage
Salidroside
Salvia
SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
Sandalwood
sceletium
Schisandrins
Schizandrol A
Scleranthus annus
Scoparia dulcis
Self-Heal
Sensitive Plant
Sesquiterpenes
Sete sangrias
Shankhpushpi
shen-chu
silk tree
skullcap
Sophora
soursop
Southern Tsangshu
Southernwood
spearmint leaf
Speedwell
Sphaeranthus indicus
Spikenard
squawvine
St. John's Wort
Stachytarpheta cayennensis
star of Bethlehem
Storax
Sumbul
sweet flag
Sweet Orange alcohol
Tagara
Tea
Terpenoids
Tetrahydropalmatine
thyme
Tinospora cordifolia
Traveler's Joy
Trichilia catigua
Uncaria
Valerenic acid
Valerian root
velvet bean
Verbena
Vervain
Vetiver
Viburnum
Violet
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
Vitex Agnus-Castus
Vitexin
Waterhyssop
White Tea
Withanolides
Wogonin
Wood betony
Xylaria nigripes
Yerba buena
Ylang ylang
Yohimbine
Yuzu
Zinc
Other health conditions supported by vitamin C
Acquired Immune Deficiency SyndromeAddictions (general remedies for)
Addison's Disease
Age Spots
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Anemia
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Antibiotics (side effects of)
Arteriosclerosis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Bites and Stings
Bladder Infection
Bleeding (external)
Bleeding (internal)
Blood Poisoning
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Bruises (prevention)
Burns and Scalds
Capillary Weakness
Cartilage Damage
Cataracts
Cervical Dysplasia
Chemical Poisoning
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Chicken Pox
Cholesterol (high)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colon (atonic)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Conjunctivitis
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Copper Toxicity
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cuts
Cystic Breast Disease
Cystic Fibrosis
Debility
Dementia
Denture Sores
Depression
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Environmental Pollution
Epstein Barr Virus
Eye Problems
Eyesight (poor)
Fatigue
Fatty Liver Disease
Free Radical Damage
Gall Stones
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Glaucoma
Gonorrhea
Gout
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Heart (weakness)
Heavy Metal Poisoning
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Herpes
Hot Flashes
Hypertension
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Infertility
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Knees (weak)
Laryngitis
Lead Poisoning
Lesions
Leucorrhea
Leukemia
Ligaments (torn or injured)
Liver Detoxification
Lyme Disease
Macular Degeneration
Mastitis
Measles
Memory and Brain Function
Menorrhagia
Menstrual Irregularity
Menstruation (scant)
Metabolic Syndrome
Mononucleosis
Mumps
Nose Bleeds
Oral Surgery
Osteoporosis
Pancreatitis
PMS (general)
PMS Type C
PMS Type H
Pneumonia
Post Partum Weakness
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Progesterone (low)
Prolapsed Uterus
Prostatitis
Radiation Sickness
Rashes and Hives
Restless Leg Syndrome
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic
Rosacea
Scars / Scar Tissue
Schizophrenia
Scratches and Abrasions
Scurvy
Shingles
Shock
Sinus Infection
Skin (infections)
Skin Care (general)
Sore Throat
Spider Veins
Spinal Disks
Sprains
Strep Throat
Stretch Marks
Sunburn
Surgery (healing from)
Surgery (preparation for)
Teeth (loose)
Tendonitis
Thrush
Tickle in Throat
Tonsillitis
Tooth Extraction
Toxemia
Triglycerides (high)
Tuberculosis
Ulcerations (external)
Ulcers
Uric Acid Retention
Urinary Tract Infections
Vaginitis
Varicose Veins
Warts
Wounds and Sores
Wrinkles
Adrenal Fatigue
Abrasions
Acne
Abscesses
Bell's Palsy
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Carbuncles
Alzheimer's Disease
Anxiety
Arthritis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Canker Sores
Cardiovascular Disease
Products containing vitamin C
Nature's Sunshine Love and Peas (Sugar Free Original Formula)
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
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 (Sugar Free) NEW!
Nature's Sunshine Love and Peas
Nature's Sunshine Marine Collagen
Nature's Sunshine Marine Glo 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 Pouch
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
