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

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Synopsis

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

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has some scientific basis for its role in supporting the dopamine system, but evidence in humans is moderate and not definitive. Biochemically, vitamin C is a required cofactor for the enzyme dopamine β-hydroxylase, which catalyzes the conversion of dopamine to norepinephrine. This means that adequate vitamin C levels are necessary for normal catecholamine synthesis, including dopamine metabolism. Several animal studies and in vitro experiments demonstrate that vitamin C deficiency can impair dopamine and norepinephrine synthesis. Some human studies in individuals with severe vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) have reported neuropsychiatric symptoms, potentially linked to altered neurotransmitter metabolism. However, direct evidence that vitamin C supplementation enhances dopamine function or treats dopamine-related disorders (such as Parkinson’s disease or depression) in otherwise healthy humans is limited. Most clinical studies focus on vitamin C’s antioxidant properties or its role in immune function. There is no strong clinical trial evidence that vitamin C supplementation improves dopamine signaling or function in healthy individuals or in those with dopamine-related diseases. Overall, while basic science supports a mechanistic link, robust clinical validation is lacking, so the scientific evidence supporting vitamin C for dopamine system support rates as moderate but not strong.

More about vitamin C
More about Dopamine

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