Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin C
For the body system: Lungs
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has been studied for its effects on the respiratory system, particularly regarding its antioxidant properties and potential to support immune function. Scientific evidence suggests that vitamin C may play a role in protecting lung tissue from oxidative damage, as the lungs are exposed to high oxygen levels and pollutants that can generate free radicals. Several observational studies have found that people with higher intakes of vitamin C tend to have better lung function, and some clinical trials have examined its effects in specific conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
A few randomized controlled trials have shown that vitamin C supplementation can modestly reduce the duration and severity of respiratory infections, such as the common cold, especially in individuals under physical stress. However, the evidence for vitamin C in preventing or treating more severe lung conditions (like pneumonia or asthma) is mixed, with some studies showing small benefits and others showing none. There is also interest in vitamin C as an adjunct therapy in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), but robust clinical evidence is still lacking.
Overall, while vitamin C is not a primary treatment for lung diseases, its use to support lung health is supported by moderate scientific evidence, primarily due to its antioxidative and immune-supporting roles. The strength of the evidence is rated as moderate (3 out of 5), as more high-quality, large-scale trials are needed to clarify its benefits for lung health.
Other ingredients that support Lungs
alpha-pinenegreen chiretta
apple
apricot
astragalus
bamboo
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-carotene
black cumin
radish
Indian frankincense
broccoli
cabbage leaf
carrot
caterpillar mushroom
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
clove
cordyceps
cryptoxanthin
turmeric
curcumin
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
diallyl trisulfide (DATS)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
fennel
flavonols
fruit blend (proprietary)
fu ling
gamma tocopherol
gardenia
garlic bulb
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
glehnia root
gooseberry
grape
onion
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
horseradish
honeysuckle
knotweed
kale
kudzu
l-cysteine
l-glutathione
lemon
licorice root
lovage
lycopene
marine lipid
marshmallow
mint
mixed carotenoids
moringa
mustard seed
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
nettle
spruce
oleanolic acid
ophiopogon root
orange
oregano
parsley
pear
peppermint oil
perilla
plantain
platycodon root
pollen
pumpkin
quail egg
quercetin
reishi mushroom
rhizome
rosemary
schizonepeta
slippery elm bark
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
sphaeranthus indicus
sulforaphane glucosinolate
thyme
almond fruit
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vegetable blend (proprietary)
vitamin A
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
water
watercress
mulberry
zhejiang fritillary
red clover
jiaogulan
boneset
mullein
chickweed
tangerine
hyssop
cardamom
lobelia
mugwort
neem tree
malabar nut
clerodendrum indicum
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
pistacia integerrima gall
tylophora
punarnava
tinospora cordifolia
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
boxthorne
yarrow
moss
fritillaria
morus
sunflower
yerba santa
elecampane
sodium salt
coltsfoot
chrysanthemum
solomon's seal
siler root
ganoderma
sweetgums
morinda
oriental arborvitae
tartarian aster
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
polyphenols
anemarrhena asphodeloides
purslane
eucalyptus
camphor oil
menthol oil
coix
aster root
stillingia
noni
abies spectabilis
horehound
herbal blend (proprietary)
cayenne pepper
Aralia
Agarikon Mushroom
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Alpha-terpineol
Angelica
Allicin
Antrodia camphorata
Anamu
Alchornea
Amomum
Asarum heterotropoides
Albizia
Asafoetida
Andrographolide
Adrenergic amines
Agarwood
Astragaloside
Armillaria mellea
Andrographis
Alsonia scholaris
Ampelopsis
Asteracea
Acetylsalicylic acid
Adenophora
Anemarrhena
Allium tuberosum
Arisaema
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Apocynin
Astragalin
Animal protein
Bee Propolis
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Bryonia
Bai Ji
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Black spruce
Balsam
Brassica
Bishop's Weed
Boswellic Acid
Belleric myrobalan
Baccharis dracunculifolia
Barleria
Bok Choy
Bougainvillea
Baicalein
Benzoin
Basidiomycota
berry
Boswellia
Bethroot
Bletilla
Butterbur
Bee products
Black Nightshade
Bombax
Buddha's Hand
Borage
Bupleurum
Baicalin
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Boerhavia diffusa
Borneol
Bird's nest
Calycosin
Cod Liver Oil
Cortisol
Coriolus mushroom
Codonopsis
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Cineole
Capsaicin
Catecholamine
Chinese Pond Turtle
Cajuput
Cowherb
Cruciferous
Curcumen
Coca
Cinnamic Acid
Cedar
Cinidium
Chicken
Centipeda
Cistus
Corktree
Cubeb
Curcuma
Chaparral
Cowslip
Cedrus libani
Cyanthillium cinereum
Cytokines
Costus
Cocklebur
Chekiang Fritillary
Cynanchum
Casearia sylvestris
Chondrus
Dichroa
Danshen
Dendrobium
Deer Root
Deer Velvet
Devil's Club
Desmodium
Ephedra
European Elder
Erigeron
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Elder
Eyebright
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Essential Oil Blend
Elephant's Head
Elkweed
Eupatorium
Ephedrine
Enokitake
Fruit
Flavonoids
Fritillary
Fang-Feng
Flat-stem milk-vetch
Ficus religiosa
Fatty acids
Flavanones
Fleabane
Forskolin
Frankincense
Flavonones
Flammulina velutipes
Flavones
fibroblast growth factor
Fir
Glehnia littoralis
Ginsenosides
Gleditsia
Gnaphalium
Guava
Guaco
Garlic
Gamma-Glutamylcysteine
Grindelia
Glechoma hederacea
Glutathione
Garden Cress
Gardenia jasminoides
Galbanum
Glycyrrhizin
Heartsease
Hederacoside
Hedyotis
Ivy
jasmine
Lotus
Lily
Mallow
Orchid
Rose
salt
Theophylline
Other body systems supported by vitamin C
Adrenal GlandsAdrenal Medulla
Arteries
Blood
Brain
Capillaries
Circulatory System
Dopamine
Eyes
Gastrointestinal Tract
Glandular System
Gums
Hair
Heart
Immune System
Immune System
Intestinal System
Joints
Liver
Lungs
Mucus Membranes
Muscles
Nails
Respiratory System
Sinuses
Skeletal System (Bones)
Skin
Spinal Disks
Structural System
Teeth
Testes
Thymus
Tonsils
Veins
Veins
Vocal Cords
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 Liquid Vitamin D3 & K2
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
