Vitamin C
Also indexed as:Ascorbate, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), C Vitamin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ester-C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that has a number of biological functions.
- Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
- Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
- For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.
Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.
For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.
This supplement has been used in connection with the following health conditions:
| Used for | Amount | Why |
|---|---|---|
Athletic Performance and Reducing Pain and Speeding Muscle Strength Recovery after Intense Exercise | 400 mg daily for several days before and after intense exercise |  [3 stars] Taking vitamin C for several days before and after intense exercise may reduce pain and speed muscle strength recovery. |
Bronchitis | 200 mg daily | [3 stars] In a double-blind study of elderly patients hospitalized with acute bronchitis, those given vitamin C improved to a significantly greater extent than those who were given a placebo.
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Bruising | 400 to 800 mg daily, with flavonoids | [3 stars] Vitamin C supplements have been shown to reduce bruising in people with low vitamin C intake. |
Capillary Fragility | Treat deficiency with up to 1 gram daily | [3 stars] In cases of deficiency, vitamin C has been shown to increase capillary strength, in seniors and people with diabetes in particular. |
Common Cold and Sore Throat | 1 to 4 grams daily | [3 stars] Studies have shown that taking vitamin C may make your cold shorter and less severe. |
Gingivitis | 300 mg daily | [3 stars] If you are deficient in vitamin C, supplementing with this vitamin may improve your overall gum health. |
Glaucoma | At least 2 grams daily | [3 stars] Supplementing with vitamin C may help reduce intraocular pressure. |
Hypertension | 500 to 1,500 mg daily | [3 stars] Higher intake of vitamin C is associated with reduced risk of high blood pressure, and some doctors recommend people with hypertension supplement with vitamin C. |
Infection | 1 to 4 grams daily | [3 stars] Vitamin C has antiviral activity, and may help prevent viral infections or, in the case of the common cold, reduce the severity and duration of an infection. |
Male Infertility and Sperm Agglutination | 1,000 mg daily | [3 stars] Vitamin C protects sperm from oxidative damage and keeps sperm from sticking together. |
Scurvy | Refer to label instructions | [3 stars] Although scurvy is uncommon in Western societies, many doctors believe that most people consume less than optimal amounts of vitamin C, especially smokers. |
Stress | 100 to 3,000 mg daily | [3 stars] Studies have shown that supplementing with vitamin C helps to normalize stress-hormone levels. |
Sunburn (Vitamin E) | 2,000 to 3,000 mg vitamin C and 1,000 to 2,000 IU vitamin E | [3 stars] Antioxidants may protect the skin from sunburn due to free radical–producing ultraviolet rays. Combinations of vitamin E and C offer protection against ultraviolet rays. |
Wound Healing | 1 to 3 grams daily | [3 stars] Taking vitamin C may promote connective tissue repair. |
Age-Related Cognitive Decline | Refer to label instructions |  [2 stars] Use of vitamin C, alone or with vitamin E, has been associated with better cognitive function and a reduced risk of certain forms of dementia (not including Alzheimer’s disease). |
Asthma | 1,000 to 1,500 mg daily | [2 stars] Supplementing with vitamin C reduces the tendency of the bronchial passages to go into spasm, an action that has been confirmed in double-blind research. |
Atherosclerosis | 250 mg twice per day | [2 stars] Supplementing with vitamin C may help reverse the progression of atherosclerosis and protect against heart disease. |
Athletic Performance and Vitamin C Deficiency | If deficient: 100 to 200 mg daily | [2 stars] Antioxidants, including vitamin C, neutralize exercise-related free radicals before they can damage the body, so antioxidants may aid in exercise recovery. Especially in cases of vitamin C deficiency, supplementing with the vitamin may improve exercise performance. |
Autism | 1 gram per 20 lbs (9 kg) body weight per day | [2 stars] In one trial, autistic children given vitamin C had less severe symptoms than those taking placebo, possibly because vitamin C affects a hormone pathway typically disturbed in children with autism. |
Cold Sores (Flavonoids) | 200 mg with 200 mg flavonoids, three to five times daily | [2 stars] Vitamin C plus flavonoids may help speed cold sore healing.
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Depression | 500 mg twice a day | [2 stars] In a double-blind study, the combination of vitamin C and an antidepressant drug (fluoxetine) was significantly more effective than the antidepressant alone. |
Dysmenorrhea (Rutin, Vitamin B3 (Niacin)) | 200 mg niacin daily, 300 mg vitamin C daily, and 60 mg rutin daily througout menstrual cycle; for cramps: 100 mg niacin every two to three hours | [2 stars] Supplementing with a combination of vitamin B3, vitamin C, and the flavonoid rutin resulted in a 90% effectiveness for relieving menstrual cramps in one study. |
Endometriosis (Vitamin E) | 1,000 mg vitamin C and 1,200 IU vitamin E daily | [2 stars] A combination of vitamin C and vitamin E can help lessen the pain of endometriosis. |
Female Infertility and Luteal Phase Defect | 750 mg daily | [2 stars] Vitamin C has been shown to improve fertility in woman with a uterine condition known as luteal phase defect. |
Gastritis | 5 grams daily | [2 stars] Vitamin C may reduce free radical damage in the stomach lining in the case of gastritis caused by the bacteriaH. pylori. |
Gingivitis (Flavonoids) | 300 mg of vitamin C, plus 300 mg of flavonoids daily | [2 stars] In one study, supplementing with vitamin C plus flavonoids improved gum health in a group of people with gingivitis. |
Gout | 0.5 to 8 grams daily | [2 stars] Supplementing with vitamin C might reduce the risk of gout attacks, as it appears to help reduce uric acid levels. |
Immune Function | Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner | [2 stars] Vitamin C stimulates the immune system. While taking it has only a small effect in preventing colds, it does significantly reduce the duration of a cold when taken at the onset. |
Influenza | 100 mg daily | [2 stars] Supplementing with vitamin C may reduce your flu risk. |
Pancreatic Insufficiency | 540 mg daily | [2 stars] Taking antioxidant supplements, such as vitamin C, may lessen pain and prevent pancreatitis recurrences. |
Parkinson’s Disease (Vitamin E) | 3,000 mg of vitamin C and 3,200 IU of vitamin E | [2 stars] Supplementing with vitamins C and E may help people with early Parkinson’s disease delay the need for medication. |
Pre- and Post-Surgery Health and Vitamin C Deficiency | 100 to 250 mg once or twice per day | [2 stars] Vitamin C supports immune function and is a critical nutrient for wound healing. Supplementing with it may decrease the risk of excessive bleeding in the surgical setting. |
Pregnancy and Postpartum Support | 100 mg daily | [2 stars] Supplementing with vitamin C during pregnancy may reduce the risk of premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and may improve lung function in the child. |
Schizophrenia | Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner | [2 stars] People with schizophrenia may require more vitamin C than the general population. In one trial, vitamin C reduced hallucinations, suspiciousness, and disorganized thoughts. |
Skin Ulcers | 1,000 mg daily | [2 stars] Supplementing with vitamin C may help prevent skin ulcers and speed healing. |
Sprains and Strains | 250 to 500 mg with meals and at bedtime | [2 stars] Vitamin C is needed to make collagen, the “glue” that strengthens connective tissue. Vitamin C supplementation can speed healing of various types of trauma. |
Sunburn (Vitamin E) | Apply a formula containing 2% vitamin E and 5% vitamin C before sun exposure | [2 stars] Studies have found sunscreen-like effects from topical application of the vitamin C and vitamin E combination. |
Type 1 Diabetes | 1,000 mg vitamin C plus 400 IU vitamin E daily | [2 stars] Supplementing with vitamin C may benefit people with type 1 diabetes by preventing free radical damage and protecting blood vessels. |
Type 2 Diabetes | 500 mg one to two times daily | [2 stars] Supplementing with vitamin C may lower blood glucose levels and protect cardiovascular health. |
Urinary Tract Infection | Refer to label instructions | [2 stars] Supplementing with vitamin C may treat acute UTIs and help people who are prone to recurrent UTIs. |
Alcohol Withdrawal | Refer to label instructions |  [1 star] Vitamin C appears to help the body rid itself of alcohol. Alcohol-related anxiety may also be improved by a combination of vitamin C, vitamin B6, niacin, and vitamin E, though the high amounts B vitamins studied need a doctor’s supervision.
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Asthma (Vitamin E, Selenium) | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] There is some evidence that a combination of antioxidants vitamin E, vitamin C, and selenium may help prevent asthma thought to be caused by air pollution. |
Bipolar Disorder | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Vitamin C helps the body reduce its load of vanadium, a mineral that adversely influences bipolar disorder. It has improved symptoms of depression and mania in some studies. |
Cataracts | 500 to 1,000 mg daily | [1 star] Supplementing with vitamin C, an important nutrient for healthy vision, has been linked with lower risk of developing cataracts. |
Childhood Diseases | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Vitamin C enhances the immune system and may protect against viral infections, including measles and chicken pox. |
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] In one study, people who got more vitamin C from their diet were less likely to be diagnosed with bronchitis, however, vitamin C has not been studied in relation to COPD. |
Colon Cancer | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Vitamin C has been shown to improve precancerous conditions in at-risk people.
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Ear Infections | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Supplementing with vitamin C stimulates the immune system and may help prevent ear infections. |
Eczema | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Vitamin C might be beneficial in treating eczema by affecting the immune system. |
Gallstones | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Vitamin C is needed for the body to convert cholesterol to bile acids and may help reduce symptoms of gallstones. |
Hay Fever | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Vitamin C has antihistamine activity, and supplementing with it has been reported to help people with hay fever. |
Heart Attack | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Vitamin C has been reported to protect blood vessels from problems associated with heart attack risk in a variety of ways. |
Heart Attack and Vitamin C Deficiency | 100 to 200 mg daily | [1 star] Taking vitamin C may reduce heart attack risk in people who are deficient. |
Hepatitis | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Vitamin C may be efffective at preventing hepatitis infection in people receiving blood transfusions and at treating viral hepatitis. |
High Cholesterol | 500 to 2,000 mg daily | [1 star] Vitamin C appears to protect LDL cholesterol from oxidative damage and may protect cardiovascular health, but has been found to have little impact on cholesterol levels. |
Hives | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] High amounts of vitamin C might help people with hives by lowering histamine levels. |
Hypoglycemia | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Vitamin C helps control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, and since there are similarities in the way the body regulates high and low blood sugar levels, it might be helpful for hypoglycemia as well. |
Low Back Pain | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] A preliminary report suggested that vitamin C helped many people avoid surgery for their disc-related low back pain. |
Macular Degeneration | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Sunlight triggers oxidative damage in the eye, which in turn can cause macular degeneration. Vitamin C protects against oxidative damage and may reduce macular degeneration risk. |
Menopause | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] A combination of vitamin C and the flavonoid hesperidin were reported to relieve hot flashes in menopausal women. |
Menorrhagia | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Vitamin C protects capillaries (small blood vessels) from damage. In so doing, it might protect against the blood loss of menorrhagia. |
Morning Sickness | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Vitamin K and vitamin C, taken together, may provide relief of morning sickness symptoms for some women. |
Peptic Ulcer | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Vitamin C may be useful in treating peptic ulcers because of its ability to help eradicate H. pylori |
Sickle Cell Anemia | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Sickle cell anemia patients tend to have low levels of antioxidants, which protect cells from oxygen-related damage. Supplementing with vitamin C may help correct a deficiency. |
Tardive Dyskinesia | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] In some studies, taking vitamin C along with other nutrients appeared to prevent the development of tardive dyskinesia |
Type 1 Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy (Selenium, Vitamin A, Vitamin E) | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Antioxidant nutrients including selenium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E may combat free radicals associated with diabetic retinopathy. |
Vitiligo | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Vitamin C has been shown to be effective at skin repigmentation in people with vitiligo. |
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The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2025.