Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin C
For the health condition: Infection
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has a well-established historical and scientific association with the prevention and treatment of infections, especially respiratory infections like the common cold. The traditional use of vitamin C for infection dates back to the 20th century, popularized by Linus Pauling in the 1970s, who advocated its regular use to prevent and treat colds. Scientifically, vitamin C plays a crucial role in immune function: it supports various cellular functions of both the innate and adaptive immune system, enhances the skin's barrier function against pathogens, and promotes the oxidative killing of microbes by phagocytes. Deficiency in vitamin C impairs immunity and increases susceptibility to infections.
Numerous randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have investigated vitamin C supplementation for infection. Evidence suggests that while routine supplementation in the general population does not significantly reduce the incidence of colds, it may modestly reduce the duration and severity of symptoms. The effect is more pronounced in individuals under physical stress (e.g., athletes, soldiers) or those with inadequate dietary intake. For more serious infections like pneumonia or sepsis, some studies suggest potential benefits, but evidence remains limited and inconclusive.
Overall, the use of vitamin C to support infection is supported by moderate scientific evidence, especially for reducing symptom duration in specific populations. It is not considered a cure but may offer some benefit as an adjunct to conventional treatments.
Other ingredients used for Infection
2'-FucosyllactoseAjoene
Allspice
alpha-pinene
green chiretta
annatto
arabinogalactan
astragalus
bacillus clausii
bayberry
bearberry
Myrobalan
beta-glucan
betel
Bifidobacterium infantis
bisabolol
black pepper
black walnut
burdock
caprylic acid
cassia bark
cat's claw
chaga mushroom
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
cuspidatum root
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
ginger
goldenseal
heartwood
immunoglobin G
Indian gum arabic tree
iodine
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactococcus lactis
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
lauric acid
licorice root
mangosteen
Monolaurin
Moringa
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
oregon grape
protein
purified silver
reishi mushroom
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
selenium
spirulina
streptococcus thermophilus
sweet wormwood
Turkey tail mushroom
vitamin A
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
Wasabi
Zinc
sarsaparilla
Yellow root
boneset
hyssop
cardamom
Neem tree
malabar nut
Hedychium spicatum
pistacia integerrima gall
paederia foetida
blackboard tree
Caesalpinia crista
Rubia cordifolia
Swertia
bee pollen
chaff flower
pau d'arco
prickly ash
Myrrh
Yerba santa
amber
flowering quince
fern
oriental arborvitae
birch
eucalyptus
Polyporus
White oak
red root
sea salt
3-Phenyllactic Acid
avens
Agarikon Mushroom
apple cider vinegar
Agastache
Aquilegia viridiflora
alpha-humulene
alpha-terpineol
Ardisia
Angelica
Acacia
Agave
Allicin
anamu
Abrus
Alchornea
Asarum heterotropoides
artesunate
AHCC
aucubin
andrographolide
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Aureobasidium pullulans
Andrographis
Alstonia scholaris
Ampelopsis
Allyl sulfide
Acemannan
Alkylglycerols
Alliin
Abuta
Alstonia macrophylla
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
animal protein
bee propolis
Bifidobacterium
babchi
Baphicacanthus cusia
blackthorn
Blepharis
balsam
Beef liver
Baccharis dracunculifolia
Barleria
Berberis (unspecified)
bisabolene
Basidiomycota
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Backhousia citriodora
banyan
barbary matrimony vine
black nightshade
borassus palm
Borassus aethiopum
bitter principals
bacteria
black root
Bupleurum
Bacillus
benzyl isothiocyanate
Belamcanda
Bergenia
bignay
croton seeds
chervil
Clerodendrum trichotomum
colloidal silver
coconut oil
coriolus mushroom
cactus
carvacrol
Cymbidium goeringii
cajuput
Chlorophytum
catechu
celandine
citral
Centipeda
Cistus
corktree
cubeb
Cinchona
chirata
Chaenomeles lagenaria
calamus
Coin-leaf desmodium
Cyanthillium cinereum
Cynodon dactylon
cassava
Chiococca alba
cocklebur
Celastrus
copaiba oil
Celosia
Clerodendrum indicum
dense fruit dittany
dialyzable leukocyte extract
deoxyandrographolides
Dichrostachys glomerata
European Elder
English horsemint
Echinacea
Echinodorus
elephant\'s head
Euphorbia
Embelia
eugenol
fucoidan
Flueggea suffruticosa
figwort
fang-feng
Ficus religiosa
furans
geraniol
genipap
Glucan peptides
glyceryl monolaurate
Globulins
Graviola
Gallesia
geranial
Glucanase
Galbanum
Golden Willow
Guazuma ulmifolia
Hygrophila
Houttuynia
Humic acid
Horsemint
Immunoglobulin G
Indian nightshade
Isoalantolactone
Indian coraltree
judastree
Kochia
knotgrass
Kefiran
lime
Lactobacillus kefiri
Lesser speargrass
Lentinan
Lomatium
lichen
Lophira lanceolata
Lapachol
lysozyme
Leptadenia
Lantana camara
Leptospermum scoparium
liverwort
L. lactis
Lysimachia
Labdanum
Mountain horopito
Marsh Tea
Malva sylvestris
Mormon Tea
Milk Protein
Matapalo Tree
mangostin
Meadow sage
Microtea debilis
Mondo grass
manzanita
Macaranga indica
Neoandrographolides
Naphthoquinones
Nymphaea nouchali
Osha
Oldenlandia diffusa
Phellodendron
Piperine
purple Tephrosia
Premna
Phragmites
Piper chaba
polysaccharides
pagoda tree
Pluchea
Pepper Bark Tree
pogoda tree
phlorotannins
probiotics
Pediococcus acidilactici
Pellitory
Pelargonium
Piper retrofractum
Pareira
Portulaca
Plumbago zeylanica
Patrinia
Peroxidase
Pokeweed
Polygonum
Plectranthus amboinicus
Quisqualis
rue
Rhabdosia rubescens
Rubia yunnanensis
Rosa laevigata
ravinsara
Spilanthes
Stephania root
Speedwell
Spanish Needle
Streptomyces
Scoparia dulcis
Self-Heal
Serrapeptase
Stemona
Schizophyllum commune
Siphoviridae
Sanguisorba
Sesquiterpenic Acid
Solanum anguivi
Sarcandra glabra
Spiny Restharrow
Savory
Sandalwood
Stereospermum
Simaruba
Skunkvine
Stachytarpheta cayennensis
Sumac
Sulfated polysaccharide
Storax
Sandy Everlasting
Smoketree
Sword Bean
Terminalia
Tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids
Tannins
Terpinen-4-ol
Thuja
Tansy
Trametes
Thiosulfinate
Tylophorine
Umckaloabo
Umckalin
Verbena
Veronica
Verbascoside
Water Pepper
Waltheria ovata
Winter Begonia
Xanthorrhizol
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
Yellow Nut Sedge
Zingerone
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
