Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin C
For the body system: Brain

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is supported by scientific evidence as an important nutrient for brain health, though most research focuses on its general role in brain maintenance rather than as a treatment for specific neurological conditions. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant, protecting brain cells from oxidative stress, which is implicated in aging and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The brain contains high concentrations of vitamin C, especially in regions involved in cognition, suggesting its physiological importance.

Experimental and observational studies have shown that vitamin C deficiency can impair cognitive function, while adequate levels are associated with better mental performance. Some small clinical studies have linked higher vitamin C status with improved cognitive function in elderly populations, although results are mixed and causality is not established. Preclinical research also shows that vitamin C is involved in neurotransmitter synthesis (such as dopamine and norepinephrine), and in modulating neuronal signaling and neuroprotection.

However, there is no compelling evidence that supplementation above the recommended daily allowance improves brain function in healthy individuals. Large-scale, high-quality clinical trials are lacking. Therefore, while there is a plausible biological rationale and some supporting evidence, the overall strength of evidence for vitamin C supplementation to support the brain is moderate.

More about vitamin C
More about Brain

Other ingredients that support Brain

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
acetyl l-carnitine
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-pinene
amino acids
anchovies
anthocyanins
apple
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
waterhyssop
basil
bergamot
berry flavor
beta caryophyllene
black cumin
black currant
black garlic
black pepper
sesame
black tea
blackberry
blueberry
Indian frankincense
bovine liver
branched-chain amino acids
broccoli
brussel sprouts
bасора
caffeine
calamari oil
California poppy
cannabis sativa oil
canola oil
cassia bark
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
cauliflower
chaga mushroom
chamomile
cherry
chia seed
Chinese salvia root
chokeberry
choline
cinnamon
citicoline
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
coffee fruit
colostrum
copper
Coptis chinensis
cordyceps
cowage seed
creatine monohydrate
turmeric
curcumin
d-alpha tocopherol
damiana
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
diallyl trisulfide (DATS)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fava bean
feverfew
fisetin
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
folate
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
fruit blend (proprietary)
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
gardenia
garlic bulb
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
glycerophosphocholine (GPC)
gooseberry
gotu kola
grape
greek mountain tea
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
guarana
guayusa
hemp oil
hesperetin
hops
huperzine A
Indian tinospora
inositol
iron
knotweed
jujube
kale
kava root
krill oil
kudzu
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
l-carnitine
l-carnosine
l-glycine
l-serine
l-phenylalanine
l-taurine
l-theanine
l-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
lactium casein decapeptide
lavender
lecithin
linoleic acid (LA)
lion's mane
liquid liver fractions
lutein
luteolin
maca
mackerel
magnesium
magnolia
mannitol
marine lipid
matcha
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
melatonin
moringa
muira puama
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
niacin (vitamin B3)
niacinamide (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
oat
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-6 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
passionflower
phenolic acids
phosphatidylcholine
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
phytocannabinoids
pine bark
polygala root
pomegranate
potassium
pregnenolone
prolyl endopeptidase (PEP)
protein
pumpkin
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
quercetin
quinoa
reishi mushroom
relora® (proprietary)
resveratrol
rhizome
rhodiola
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
rose oil
rosemary
saffron
sage
SAMe (s-adenosyl-l-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
sardines
sceletium
selenium
shrimp
black ginger
skullcap
soybean
spearmint leaf
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
sphaeranthus indicus
spinach
spirulina
strawberry
sulforaphane glucosinolate
thiamin (vitamin B1)
threonic acid
thyme
tocotrienols
tongkat ali
trans-pterostilbene
triphala
almond fruit
ubiquinol
Urolithin A
valerian root
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
velvet bean
vinpocetine
vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
seaweed
water
whey protein
mulberry
zinc
zinc
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
jiaogulan
tangerine
gastrodia
cardamom
mugwort
neem tree
tinospora cordifolia
bee pollen
peony
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
sodium salt
kanna
silk tree
chrysanthemum
cistanche
ganoderma
sweet flag
lotus seed
morinda
oriental arborvitae
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
royal jelly
terpene lactones
polyphenols
trace minerals
purslane
St. John's Wort
yerba mate
wheat germ
noni
wood betony
goji berry
hypothalamus
herbal blend (proprietary)
algae
cocoa
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ashitaba
DMPX
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
7,14-Hydroxy-Docosapentaenoic Acid
Antler
Arginine Creatine
Asiaticoside
Angelica
Arachidonic Acid
Apigenin
Anserine
Anamu
Albizia
Alpha glyceryl
Avocado
Agmatine
Adrafinil
Acetylcholine
Agarwood
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
Adrenaline
Alpha lactalbumin
anthocyanidins
Asteracea
adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Acetylsalicylic acid
Algal protein
Aniracetam
anthocyanosides
Apocynin
Arginine silicate
Animal protein
Betony
Black Seed
Beta Phenethylalamine
Bilobalide
Butylphthalide
Baikal Skullcap
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Biopterin
Blubber oil
Breadnut
Boswellic Acid
Belleric myrobalan
Black galingale
Beef
Beef liver
Bone Marrow
Baccosides
Bacopin
Baicalein
Benfotiamine
Basidiomycota
berry
Brazil nut
Brahmi
Bacopa
Broad Bean
Bee products
Blue-Green Alage
Borage
banana
BCAA
bacoside
Baicalin
Borneol
Bird's nest
Chia seed
Curculigo orchicides
Centrophenoxine
Camellia sinensis
Coconut
Centella triterpenes
Caryophyllene
California chia
Cinnamomum
Crocin
Clary sage
Cocarboxylase
Chinese Mountain Ant
Cyanobacteria
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Carnosine
Catalpol
Cod Liver Oil
Codonopsis
Cactus
Cyanidin
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Catecholamine
Cruciferous
Cytisine
Calea zacatechichi
Centella asiatica
Coca
Chocolate
Creatine
Cinidium
Chicken
Capitate Valerian
Curcuma
Carnosol
Calanus finmarchicus
Catuaba
C-Phycocyanin
Cowslip
Cannabidiol
Calamus
Convolvulus prostratus
Corydalis
Crocetin
Convolvulus Pluricaulis
Celastrus
Cytidine
Crypthecodinium
cola nut
Canscora
Currant
Carnosic acid
Cannabichromene
Cannabigerol
Docosahexaenoic Acid
D-phenylalanine
Dismutase
Danshen
Dendrobium
Dihydromyricetin
Decursin
Dehydroascorbic acid
Deer Velvet
Dibenzo-alpha pyrones
Dihydrolipoic Acid
Dragonhead
Dwarf Morning Glory
Dopamine
Date
Deanol
Dextrose
epicatechin
Egg
Erythrina
Ergothioneine
Elk antler
Emblicanin
Elthyl-Alpha-Guanido-Methyl-Ethanoate
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Essential Oil Blend
Egg protein
Enokitake
Garlic
Glycine
jasmine
Ketone Salts
Milk Protein
Mimosa
Phenylethylamine (PEA)
Periwinkle
Poppy
peanut
Pistachio
Quinoa Protein
Rose
Spikenard
Snakeroot (unspecified)
Squid
Sucrose
salt
Sandalwood
Vervain
walnut

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 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
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