Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a nutrient that the body needs in small amounts to function and stay healthy. Vitamin C helps fight infections, heal wounds, and keep tissues healthy. It is an antioxidant that helps prevent cell damage caused by free radicals (highly reactive chemicals). Vitamin C is found in all fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits, strawberries, cantaloupe, green peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, leafy greens, and potatoes. It is water-soluble (can dissolve in water) and must be taken in every day. Vitamin C is being studied in the prevention and treatment of some types of cancer. Also called ascorbic acid.

What is Vitamin C?

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin, which means it cannot be stored in the body and we must take it from dietary sources.

Vitamin C Physiological Function

Vitamin C Daily Requirements

Vitamin C Therapeutic Uses

Sources of Vitamin C

Vitamin C History

Vitamin C Side Effects

Latest Vitamin C News and Research

Adding high-dose IV vitamin C to chemotherapy can boost survival for pancreatic cancer patients

Results from a randomized phase 2 clinical trial show that adding high-dose, intravenous (IV) vitamin C to chemotherapy doubles the overall survival of patients with late-stage metastatic pancreatic cancer from eight months to 16 months.

19 Nov 2024

Two topical treatments show similar benefits for photoaging of the hands

Topically applied products containing human platelet extract or vitamin C provide similar improvements in age spots (photoaging) of the hands, as reported in a clinical trial within the November issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

1 Nov 2024

Scurvy may be making a comeback amid economic strain

The scourge of scurvy, which is caused by vitamin C deficiency, may be re-emerging amid the cost of living crisis and the rise in weight loss (bariatric) surgery, suggest doctors in the journal BMJ Case Reports after treating a middle-aged man with the condition.

22 Oct 2024

Social isolation and loneliness linked to low micronutrient intake in older adults

Researchers determine whether social isolation and loneliness are associated with lower micronutrient intake.

22 Oct 2024

Social isolation linked to micronutrient deficiencies in older adults

Older adults in the UK who are socially isolated are more likely to have an insufficient intake of key micronutrients such as vitamin C and vitamin B6, increasing their risk of health problems, according to a new study led by UCL (University College London) researchers.

15 Oct 2024

New study reveals declining nutrient intake among U.S. women of reproductive age

Researchers compare trends in nutrient consumption from dietary sources and supplements in pregnant and non-pregnant women in the United States.

14 Oct 2024

Ultra-processed foods dominate children's diets from toddlerhood to middle childhood

Children's consumption of ultra-processed foods rises from toddlerhood to middle childhood, increasing intake of free sugars and sodium while reducing fiber intake. Early dietary patterns significantly influence long-term health outcomes.

9 Oct 2024

Scurvy is not just an 18th-century seafarers' disease, study shows

Scurvy, or vitamin C deficiency, is not just an 18th-century seafarers' disease, as a case study of a 65-year-old woman with mobility issues and social isolation shows.

7 Oct 2024

Antioxidant-rich diet could help lower risk of infertility in women, new study suggests

The study reveals that increased antioxidant consumption may protect against infertility in women, addressing oxidative stress in reproductive disorders.

3 Oct 2024

Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli reduce blood pressure compared to root and squash vegetables

Daily intake of cruciferous vegetables significantly lowers blood pressure in mildly hypertensive adults, highlighting their role in cardiovascular health.

10 Sep 2024

New global analysis highlights micronutrient shortages

Research shows nearly 5 billion people lack essential micronutrients, with significant deficiencies in calcium, iodine, and vitamin E impacting global health.

4 Sep 2024

Sweat-powered wearable enables continuous health monitoring from the fingertip

A sweat-powered wearable has the potential to make continuous, personalized health monitoring as effortless as wearing a Band-Aid.

3 Sep 2024

Mediterranean diet lowers COVID-19 risk, but its effect on symptoms and severity remains uncertain

Higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with a reduced risk of COVID-19, but its effects on symptom severity are less certain due to mixed results and study limitations.

27 Aug 2024

Patients fear judgment for sharing health misconceptions, study finds

When an individual visits their doctor, they aren't supposed to keep secrets. Unless patients are forthcoming about their symptoms, behaviors, and health-related beliefs, it's hard for healthcare professionals to effectively diagnose and treat illnesses-;or to advise and educate patients about how to take better care of themselves in the future.

4 Aug 2024

Scurvy on the rise in the United States: Pediatric cases triple in five years

Researchers found that pediatric scurvy cases tripled from 2016 to 2020, highlighting a significant rise in incidence, particularly among low-income, male, and autistic children.

19 Jul 2024

Daily supplement may help preserve vision in people with late-stage dry AMD

In a new analysis of data, researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have found that taking a daily supplement containing antioxidant vitamins and minerals slows progression of late-stage dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), potentially helping people with late-stage disease preserve their central vision.

16 Jul 2024