Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin C
For the health condition: Free Radical Damage
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is widely recognized for its antioxidant properties, which form the scientific basis for its use in supporting and treating free radical damage. Free radicals are unstable molecules generated in the body by normal metabolic processes and external sources such as pollution and UV radiation. These molecules can cause oxidative stress, leading to cellular damage and contributing to aging, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other health conditions.
Vitamin C acts as a potent antioxidant by donating electrons to neutralize free radicals, thereby preventing oxidative damage to important biomolecules such as DNA, proteins, and lipids. A substantial body of scientific literature supports this mechanism. For example, reviews in Free Radical Biology and Medicine and American Journal of Clinical Nutrition emphasize vitamin C's role in regenerating other antioxidants and protecting cells from oxidative injury. Clinical studies have demonstrated that vitamin C supplementation can reduce biomarkers of oxidative stress in both healthy and diseased populations.
However, while laboratory and animal studies consistently confirm its antioxidant effects, the clinical benefits in disease prevention or treatment are less definitive and sometimes mixed. Nonetheless, the antioxidant activity of vitamin C is well-validated, and its use for supporting the body’s defense against free radical damage is grounded in robust scientific evidence. Therefore, it is rated highly for scientific support in this context.
Other ingredients used for Free Radical Damage
1,2-di-galloyl-4,6hexahydroxydiphenoyl-D-glucose3,3'-dihydroxy-B-carotene-4,4'-dione
3-Isomangostin
5,7-Dimethoxyflavone
7,4-Dimethoxyflavone
7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)
Acacetin
Acai berry
Acer truncatum
Acetyl L-carnitine
Algae
Algal protein
Allophycocyanin
Alpha-carotene
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
alpha-lipoic acid
amentoflavone
amethoflavone
amino acids
ankaflavin
anthocyanidins
anthocyanins
anthocyanosides
antirrhinin
apigenin
apocarotenal
apocynin
apricot
arctiin
argan nut oil
Arjunolic acid
Aronia melanocarpa
ascorbigen
ascorbyl palmitate
astaxanthin
astragaloside
astragalus
Auricularia
Autumn Olive
avocado
baccosides
bacoside
baicalin
Basidiomycota
basil
bee pollen
benfotiamine
berry
beta-carotene
beta-hydroxybutyrate
beta-tocopherol
beta-zeacarotene
betanin
BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole)
BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)
bilberry
bioflavonoids
black currant
black garlic
black tea
blackberry
blueberry
bok choy
boysenberry
Brassica
Brazil nut
broccoli
Brussel sprouts
C-phycocyanin
caffeic Acid
caffeine
Camellia sinensis
camu camu
canthaxanthin
capsanthin
capsorubin
carnosic acid
Carnosine
carnosol
carotene (unspecified)
cashew
catalase
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
cauliflower
chebulic acid
chebulinic acid
chocolate
chokeberry
chrysin
cichoric acid
cistanche
cocoa
coconut milk
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
coffee fruit
crocetin
Crypthecodinium
cryptoxanthin
cupric ascorbate
dehydroascorbic acid
delphinidin
delta-tocopherol
desoxyrhaponticin
dibenzo-alpha pyrones
dihydrolipoic acid
diosmetin
dismutase
dragon fruit
Dumontiaceae
Dunaliella
Dunaliella salina
Ecklonia
ellagic acid
emblicanin
epicatechin
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
ergothioneine
eriodictyol
erythorbic acid
ethylgallate
fatty acids
ferulic acid
fish protein
flavanones
flavans
flavin mononucleotide
flavoglycosides
flavones
flavonols
flavonones
fruit blend (proprietary)
fucoidan
fulvic acid
furanosterols
Gac
gamma-carotene
gamma-glutamylcysteine
ganoderma
Garcinone C
Garcinone E
ginseng
Ginsenosides
Glucan peptides
Glutathione
goji berry
grape
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
guarana
Haematococcus pluvialis
hesperetin
hesperidin
HMR lignan
honeybush
hydroxycinnamic acid
hydroxyphenylethanols
hydroxytyrosol
Idebenone
isoascorbate
isovitexin
Jaboticaba
Kaempferol
kucha tea
L-carnosine
L-cysteine
L-glutathione
L-glycine
Lentinula edodes mycelia
Leucodelphinidin
lingzhi
lipids
lutein
Lycium
macadamia
malvidin
mangiferin
mangostanol
mangostene xanthone
Matcha
Mate
Melatonin
Methoxylated flavones
Methylselenocysteine
Mineral ascorbate
mixed carotenoids
Myricitrin
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
N-Caffeoyldopamine
Neoandrographolides
Neoxanthin
nicotinamide riboside
Oligomeric proanthocyanidins
omega-3 fatty acids
oyster mushroom
papaya
Pecan
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
Pentose phosphate
phenolic compounds
Phosphate ascorbate
phospholipids
Phthalides
Phycocyanin
Phytoene
Phytofluene
Phytoplankton
pine bark
Plankton
Pleurotus eryngii
polymethoxylated flavones
polyphenols
polyporous mushroom
proanthocyanidins
procyanidin
procyanidol
propyl gallate
punicalagins
punicosides
Pycnogenol
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
pyrroloquinoline quinone
quercetin
raspberry
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhammetin
Ribose-l-cysteine
robusta coffee
Rooibos
rosmarinic acid
royal jelly
Salidroside
Schisandrins
Scopoletin
selenium
Sesamolin
Shilajit
Silychristin
spirulina
Squalene
strawberry
Tangeretin
Taxifolin
Theaflavin
Tiliroside
Tremella
Trigalloyl glucose
turmeric
Tyrosol
ubiquinol
Uncaria
Vanillin
vegetable blend (proprietary)
Vestitol
vitamin C
vitamin E
Walnut
wheat germ
Whey protein
White Tea
Withanolides
Xanthone
Xanthophyll
Xylaria nigripes
Yumberry
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
