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)alpha-pinene
amino acids
ashwagandha
Waterhyssop
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
black cumin
bupleurum falcatum
California poppy
Cannabis sativa oil
chamomile
Chinese salvia root
citrus oil
clove
cordyceps
curcumin
damiana
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fennel
gardenia
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
gotu kola
Greek mountain tea
green tea
guayusa
hemp oil
hops
Indian tinospora
inositol
jujube
kava
kudzu
L-glycine
L-theanine
L-tryptophan
lactium casein decapeptide
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus helveticus
Lactobacillus paracasei
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus salivarius
lavender
lion's mane
lithium orotate
maca
magnesium
magnolia
Matcha
Melatonin
Mint
Motherwort
Muira puama
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
omega-3 fatty acids
passionflower
phellodendron amurense
phosphatidylserine
phytocannabinoids
polygala root
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
pregnenolone
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
reishi mushroom
relora® (proprietary)
rhizome
Rhodiola
rose oil
rosemary
saffron
sage
SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
sceletium
skullcap
spearmint leaf
Sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
Valerian root
velvet bean
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
Zinc
squawvine
catnip
gastrodia
cardamom
shen-chu
Mugwort
anise
Tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
peony
lingzhi
lemongrass
kanna
silk tree
chrysanthemum
ganoderma
sweet flag
oriental arborvitae
Menthol oil
St. John's Wort
Wood betony
herbal blend (proprietary)
indigo leaves
cocoa
soursop
geranium
star of Bethlehem
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
ash
Agastache
alpha-terpineol
Ardisia
Agrimony
apigenin
anamu
Albizia
Aconite
Agmatine
Agarwood
Anemone
Alpha lactalbumin
Asteraceae
aniracetam
Amor seco
betony
black seed
Bifidobacterium
Baikal Skullcap
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
balsam
bayleaf
Bacopin
baicalein
brahmi
Bacopa
bee products
Bombax
bacteria
Bifidobacteria
Bupleurum
bacoside
baicalin
borneol
Camellia sinensis
Centella triterpenes
caryophyllene
Monkey flower
Cinnamomum
Clary sage
capillary artemisia
citron
Chinese raisintree
Cymbopogon martini
Calea zacatechichi
Centella asiatica
Capitate Valerian
Curcuma
catuaba
cowslip
cannabidiol
calamus
Clostridium butyricum
Convolvulus prostratus
Convolvulus pluricaulis
Clerodendrum indicum
Canscora
cannabigerol
dodeca-2E, 4E-dienoic acid isobutylamide
dragonhead
Erythrina
essential oil blend
eugenol
fragrant rosewood
Ficus religiosa
fatty acids
fungus
Gelsemium
Ginsenosides
Griffonia simplicifolia
Glycine
Gardenia jasminoides
gastrodin
Honokiol
Hyperoside
heal-all
Hypericum
hyperforin
Herb Robert
hericium mushroom
hemp
honeybush
iridoids
isoliquiritigenin
Ilex
Indian fagonia
jasmine
jujubosides
Jatamansi
kavalactones
Kefir
lemon balm
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactucarium
Litsea
linden
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lactucopicrin
ligustilides
limonene
longan
Lavandin
lotus
Lycopodium
Lactobacillus johnsonii
Large-leaved linden
lupulinum
linalool
Mentha haplocalyx
Myrcene
Marjoram
Mimulus
Monoterpenes
Mimosa
magnolol
Mulungu
Mesembrine
Nardostachys
Nigella seed
Nymphaea caerulea
Nymphaea nouchali
Nutmeg
Oroxylum indicum
oolong tea
Osmanthus
Oxindole alkaloids
Puerain
Phellodendron
Phenylpropanoids
Pulsatilla
prepared aconite tuber
Patchouli oil
probiotics
Passionfruit
paeoniflorin
poppy
Polygala
Petiveria
Plectranthus amboinicus
Purple Monkeyflower
rue
rosavins
Rauvolfia
rosmarinic acid
rose
Rooibos
Sophora
Speedwell
Scoparia dulcis
Sete sangrias
Sesquiterpenes
Sumbul
Self-Heal
Spikenard
Scleranthus annus
Salvia
Sensitive Plant
Southern Tsangshu
Southernwood
Salidroside
Shankhpushpi
Schisandrins
Sandalwood
Stachytarpheta cayennensis
Schizandrol A
Storax
Safranal
Sweet Orange alcohol
Terpenoids
Tea
Traveler's Joy
Trichilia catigua
Tagara
Tetrahydropalmatine
Uncaria
Vetiver
Valerenic acid
Vervain
Vitexin
Viburnum
Verbena
Violet
Vitex Agnus-Castus
Withanolides
White Tea
Wogonin
Xylaria nigripes
Yuzu
Yerba buena
Yohimbine
Ylang ylang
Other health conditions supported by vitamin C
AbrasionsAbscesses
Acne
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Addictions (general remedies for)
Addison's Disease
Adrenal Fatigue
Age Spots
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Anemia
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Antibiotics (side effects of)
Anxiety
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Bell's Palsy
Bites and Stings
Bladder Infection
Bleeding (external)
Bleeding (internal)
Blood Poisoning
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Bruises (prevention)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Capillary Weakness
Carbuncles
Cardiovascular Disease
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
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 Liquid Vitamin D3 & K2
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
