Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has some scientific support for its use in the context of depression, though the evidence remains preliminary and not robust. Several observational and interventional studies have found that people with depression often have lower plasma vitamin C levels compared to healthy controls. Some small clinical trials suggest that vitamin C supplementation, either alone or as an adjunct to conventional antidepressants, may have a modest effect in reducing depressive symptoms, particularly in individuals with suboptimal baseline levels of the vitamin. The proposed mechanisms include vitamin C’s role as an antioxidant, its involvement in neurotransmitter synthesis (notably dopamine and norepinephrine), and its potential to reduce oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, both of which are implicated in the pathophysiology of depression.

However, most studies are small, of short duration, and sometimes methodologically limited. There's no large-scale, high-quality evidence to recommend vitamin C as a primary treatment for depression. Major psychiatric guidelines do not endorse vitamin C supplementation for depression outside the context of deficiency. Nonetheless, given its safety profile and biological plausibility, vitamin C may be considered as a complementary approach, especially in individuals with low dietary intake or documented deficiency. In summary, while there is some scientific basis for using vitamin C as adjunctive support in depression, the quality and quantity of evidence is limited, warranting a modest rating.

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Other ingredients used for Depression

Other health conditions supported by vitamin C

Products containing vitamin C

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