Vitamin C

Vitamin C and E antioxidant supplementation may significantly reduce pain symptoms in endometriosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Bayu P, Wibisono JJ · PloS one · 2024

The primary challenge encountered by individuals diagnosed with endometriosis is the experience of pain. Emerging research indicates that oxidative stress is implicated in the initiation of pain associated with endometriosis. Vitamins C and E are known for their antioxidative properties. The primary objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of antioxidant supplementation, consisting of these vitamins, in the management of pain associated with endometriosis. A comprehensive search was conducted on the ClinicalTrials.gov, Scopus, Europe PMC, and Medline databases up until August 23rd, 2023, utilizing a combination of relevant keywords. This review incorporates literature that examines the relationship between antioxidant supplementation and pain in endometriosis. We employed fixed-effect models to analyze the risk ratio (RR) and present the outcomes together with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). A total of five RCTs were incorporated. The results of our meta-a

Efficacy of vitamin C with Fe supplementation in patients with iron deficiency anemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Deng J, Ramelli L, Li PY, Eshaghpour A, Li A, Schuenemann G · Blood vessels, thrombosis & hemostasis · 2024 · n=1930

Oral iron (Fe) supplementation is one of the mainstays of treatment for iron deficiency anemia (IDA). However, its therapeutic effects are limited when there is poor absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. Vitamin C is hypothesized to improve uptake when combined as an adjunct agent. We aimed to determine the difference in hematologic outcomes in patients with IDA receiving oral iron, with or without vitamin C. MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from database inception to July 2023 for studies investigating the use of oral iron supplements with vitamin C in patients with IDA. The primary outcome was the change in serum hemoglobin (Hb). Secondary outcomes include change in serum ferritin, reticulocyte percentage, and incidence of adverse events. A total of 2231 studies were retrieved; 10 randomized control trials (n = 1782), and 1 prospective cohort study (n = 148) comprising 1930 patients were includ

Vitamin E for people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Wen H, Deng H, Yang L, Li L, Lin J, Zheng P · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2024 · n=351

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), recently renamed metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), is the most common liver disease worldwide, affecting an estimated 3 in 10 people. The available treatment is far from optimal. Diet and lifestyle changes to promote weight loss and weight loss maintenance are the basic management of NAFLD, but these are difficult to achieve and maintain. Vitamin E has shown beneficial effects on oxidative stress, which plays a major role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. However, there is uncertainty about the effects of vitamin E for people with NAFLD. To evaluate the beneficial and harmful effects of vitamin E alone, or vitamin E in combination with other vitamins or minerals, versus placebo or no intervention in people with NAFLD. We used recommended Cochrane search methods. The latest search was performed on 2 February 2024. We included randomised clinical trials that compared vitamin E alone, or in combination with other vi

Role of Antioxidants in Melasma: A Systematic Review.

Sarkar R, Sahu A · Indian journal of dermatology · 2025

Melasma is a common skin disorder characterized by facial hyperpigmentation, often aggravated by sun exposure. Antioxidants are being studied as a treatment option for their potential to reduce oxidative stress and improve skin pigmentation. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed for articles published over the past decade, up to January 31, 2024, on the use of antioxidants in melasma treatment. The systematic review, conducted by two independent investigators, included 30 studies on antioxidants in melasma, covering vitamin C, cysteamine, silymarin, PLE, tomato extract/lycopene, zinc sulfate, melatonin, and other antioxidants. Findings indicated that combining vitamin C with physical therapies, such as peels and lasers, yielded better results. Cysteamine, a naturally occurring aminothiol, showed efficacy comparable to hydroquinone with fewer side effects. Silymarin was effective in reducing melasma severity with minimal adverse effects. PLE showed mixed results but

A comprehensive review on the co-occurrence of scurvy and anorexia nervosa.

Cui S · Frontiers in nutrition · 2024

Scurvy, a rare disease resulting from vitamin C deficiency, can occur in individuals with restrictive eating disorders like anorexia nervosa (AN), leading to severe health complications. This review explores the complex relationship between scurvy and AN, highlighting the overlapping symptoms and challenges in diagnosis and treatment. Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis, immune function, and neurotransmitter production, and its deficiency manifests as fatigue, gingival bleeding, joint pain, and perifollicular hemorrhages. AN exacerbates these symptoms through extreme food restriction, causing severe nutritional deficiencies. Analyzing nine case reports, this review reveals that patients with co-occurring AN and scurvy often present with gastrointestinal, psychiatric, and dermatological symptoms. Treatment with vitamin C supplementation typically results in rapid symptom improvement. However, the malnutrition inherent in AN complicates the clinical picture, making timely diagn

Micronutrients and Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review.

Wang R, Lin J, Liu Q, Wu W, Wu J, Liu X · Molecular nutrition & food research · 2024

Hair loss is a common problem that can negatively impact individuals' psychological well-being. Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is one of the most prevalent types of nonscarring hair loss. This review summarizes the existing evidence on the relationship between AGA and various micronutrients, including vitamin B, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, selenium, zinc, manganese, and copper. A literature search was conducted to identify relevant articles published between 1993 and 2023. The search identified 49 relevant articles. The findings suggest that deficiencies or imbalances in these micronutrients may contribute to the pathogenesis of AGA and represent modifiable risk factors for hair loss prevention and treatment. Vitamin B, vitamin D, iron, and zinc appear to play critical roles in hair growth and maintenance. Deficiencies in these micronutrients have been associated with increased risk of AGA, while supplementation with these nutrients has shown potential benefits in improving h

AGA Clinical Practice Update on Management of Iron Deficiency Anemia: Expert Review.

DeLoughery TG, Jackson CS, Ko CW, Rockey DC · Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association · 2024

In this Clinical Practice Update (CPU), we will Best Practice Advice (BPA) guidance on the appropriate management of iron deficiency anemia. This expert review was commissioned and approved by the AGA Institute Clinical Practice Updates Committee (CPUC) and the AGA Governing Board to provide timely guidance on a topic of high clinical importance to the AGA membership, and underwent internal peer review by the CPUC and external peer review through standard procedures of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. These Best Practice Advice (BPA) statements were drawn from a review of the published literature and from expert opinion. Since systematic reviews were not performed, these BPA statements do not carry formal ratings regarding the quality of evidence or strength of the presented considerations. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 1: No single formulation of oral iron has any advantages over any other. Ferrous sulfate is preferred as the least expensive iron formulation. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 2:

Efficacy of Plant-Based Iron and Vitamin C in Adults With Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Study.

Patel MN, Patel N, Maheshvari J · Cureus · 2025 · n=96

Background Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common nutritional disorder marked by low hemoglobin and impaired oxygen transport, leading to fatigue and reduced quality of life. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of two plant-based iron formulations in adults with IDA. Plant-based iron supplements were investigated to overcome some of the shortcomings of conventional synthetic iron formulations, which are often associated with gastrointestinal intolerance, poor absorption, and oxidative stress. Methods A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in 96 adults (males and non-pregnant, non-lactating females) aged 26-55 years with hemoglobin levels between 8-11 mg/dL. Participants were assigned to one of three groups for 60 days as follows: group A received 18 mg of plant-based iron from Murraya koenigii (Orgen-I) and 90 mg of vitamin C from Phyllanthus emblica (Orgen-C), group B received 18 mg of plant-based iron alone, and group C received a place

Evaluation of the Efficacy of a Serum Containing Niacinamide, Tranexamic Acid, Vitamin C, and Hydroxy Acid Compared to 4% Hydroquinone in the Management of Melasma.

Rocio J, Pittet JC, Sachdev M, Kovylkina N, Deloche Bensmaine C, Passeron T · Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 2025

Melasma is a common skin condition that remains challenging to treat. Hydroquinone at 4% (HQ4%) is a frequently prescribed depigmenting compound that has been associated with potential side effects. This study assessed the benefit in melasma of an anti-hyperpigmentation serum (Serum B3 containing 5% niacinamide, 1% tranexamic acid, 0.2% of a stabilized form of vitamin C, and different hydroxy acids) compared to HQ4%. In a single-site, investigator-blind, randomized study, 60 females aged between 20 and 50 years with facial melasma received Serum B3 for 5 months (Group 1) or HQ4% for 3 months followed by Serum B3 for an additional2 months (Group 2). Endpoints were Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI), modified MASI (mMASI), Investigational Global Assessment, erythema, clinical cutaneous parameters, and safety. Subjects assessed quality of life (QoL) and cosmetic acceptability. Confocal reflecting microscopy was performed. A significant (p < 0.0

Vitamin C-Rich Guava Consumed with Mungbean Dal Reduces Anemia and Increases Hemoglobin but not Iron Stores: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Food-to-Food Fortification in Indian Children.

Rani V, Moretti D, Khetarpaul N, Thankachan P, Zimmermann MB, Melse-Boonstra A · The Journal of nutrition · 2024 · n=200

Adding vitamin C-rich fruit to staples containing iron could be an effective strategy to improve iron bioavailability and thereby reduce iron-deficiency anemia in children. We aimed to assess the effect of consuming a mungbean-based meal with or without guava fruit on body iron stores, hemoglobin concentration, and anemia of children as part of a school feeding program. We conducted a 7-mo randomized, controlled trial with 6- to 10-y-old school children (n = 200; 46% anemic, 71% iron-deficient) from a rural community in Haryana, North India. Children were assigned to 2 treatment groups to daily receive either a meal of mungbean dal only (3.0 mg iron; vitamin C:iron molar ratio ∼0.5:1), or mungbean dal with fresh guava (3.2 mg iron; ∼170 mg vitamin C; molar ratio ∼18:1). Meals were served every school day under supervision. The primary outcome was body iron stores, whereas concentrations of hemoglobin and other iron indicators were secondary outcomes. Daily consu

Correlation between serum vitamin levels and gestational diabetes mellitus.

Qin Y, Song Q, Jiang X, Su Y, Chen H, Ji X · Frontiers in endocrinology · 2025

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common clinical complication during pregnancy, with its pathogenesis not yet fully elucidated. Vitamin D contributes to GDM pathogenesis by regulating pancreatic β-cell function, immune responses, and lipid metabolism. Vitamin D deficiency may contribute to GDM through these mechanisms. Vitamin E levels in GDM patients are lower than those in normal pregnant women, and its deficiency may increase the risk of GDM, potentially due to its antioxidant properties, although the specific mechanisms remain unclear. The relationship between vitamin A levels and GDM is controversial. Additionally, the occurrence of GDM is closely associated with one-carbon metabolism, involving folic acid (vitamin B9), vitamin B12, and vitamin B6. Deficiencies in these vitamins may lead to homocysteine metabolism disorders, thereby contributing to GDM. Vitamin B3 plays a protective role against GDM by regulating redox reactions. Vitamin C deficiency has also been li

Association of Vitamins and Minerals with Type 1 Diabetes Risk: A Mendelian Randomization Study.

Shi L, Belbellaj W, Manousaki D · Nutrients · 2025

Background/Objectives: Previous studies suggest that nutrient deficiencies can alter immune responses in animals. However, the impact of micronutrients on autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes (T1D) in humans remains unclear since the described associations are based on observational data and they cannot establish causality. This study aims to examine the causal relationship between various micronutrients and T1D using Mendelian randomization (MR). Methods: We performed a two-sample MR analysis using genetic variants from genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of 17 micronutrients as instrumental variables (IVs). We analyzed T1D GWAS datasets of European (18,942 cases/520,580controls), multi-ancestry (25,717 cases/583,311 controls), Latin American/Hispanic (2295 cases/55,134 controls), African American/Afro-Caribbean (6451 cases/109,410 controls), and East Asian (1219 cases/132,032 controls) ancestries. We applied the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method in our main analysis, and

Vitamin and trace elements imbalance are very common in adult patients with newly diagnosed Celiac disease.

Nuermaimaiti K, Li T, Li N, Shi T, Liu W, Abulaiti P · Scientific reports · 2025

Patients with celiac disease are at risk of micronutrient deficiencies due to long-term inflammation of the small intestine. Therefore, our aim was to investigate the correlation between CeD and micronutrients. A cross-sectional study enrolled a total of 59 newly diagnosed celiac patients and 59 controls. Levels of 17 vitamins and 10 trace elements were measured. Symptoms, serum IgA anti-TG2 (tTG-IgA), BMI, albumin, hemoglobin, and Marsh classification were recorded. The levels of micronutrients were compared between cases and controls, and correlations between micronutrients and other factors were analyzed. Celiac patients had lower levels of BMI, albumin, hemoglobin, vitamins A, E, K2 (MK-7, MK-4), B6, and B7, as well as zinc, and higher levels of vitamin B3 and chromium than controls (p < 0.05). The deficiency rates of vitamins A, E, and K2 (MK-7) and the excess rate of vitamin B3 were significantly higher than in controls (p < 0.05). Vitamin C, iro

Interaction of vitamin C and iron.

Lynch SR, Cook JD · Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences · 1980

Food iron is absorbed by the intestinal mucosa from two separate pools of heme and nonheme iron. Heme iron, derived from hemoglobin and myoglobin, is well absorbed and relatively little affected by other foods eaten in the same meal. On the other hand, the absorption of nonheme iron, the major dietary pool, is greatly influenced by meal composition. Ascorbic acid is a powerful enhancer of nonheme iron absorption and can reverse the inhibiting effect of such substances as tea and calcium/phosphate. Its influence may be less pronounced in meals of high iron availability--those containing meat, fish, or poultry. The enhancement of iron absorption from vegetable meals is directly proportional to the quantity of ascorbic acid present. The absorption of soluble inorganic iron added to a meal increases in parallel with the absorption of nonheme iron, but ascorbic acid has a much smaller effect on insoluble iron compounds, such as ferric oxide or ferric hydroxide, which are common food contami

Vitamins and minerals - Vitamin C

NHS

The NHS provides guidance on vitamin C, covering its functions, recommended daily amounts, and information on its use for various conditions, including colds.

A Double-blind, Randomized, Controlled Study to Compare the Effects of Syrup With EpiCor and Vitamin C to Syrup With Vitamin C Alone on the Common Cold or Influenza in Generally Healthy Children

n=221 · NCT04093206 · COMPLETED · COMPLETED

The purpose of the clinical study is to evaluate efficacy of regular daily, 12 weeks, consumption of EpiCor syrup containing EpiCor and vitamin C in non-vaccinated children 1-6 years old on preventing episodes of the common cold and flu as well as on the severity of symptoms of the common cold and flu in case of their occurrence. Additionally, the study aims to assess the effect of EpiCor on the use of prescription drugs and changes of a selected biochemical marker. This is a double-blind, randomized, controlled multi-center clinical trial.

Fractional co2 Laser Followed by Either Vitamin c or Tranexamic Acid in Treatment of Melasma. Asplit Face Dermoscopic and Clinical Study.

n=25 · NCT05911698 · UNKNOWN · UNKNOWN

The aim of the study: 1.To compare the efficacy and safety of fractional CO2 laser in combination with vitamin c and tranexamic acid in the treatment of melasma. 2 .To assess the value of dermoscope in measuring of the response to treatment in melasma patients compared to clinical scoring.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Intravenous Ferric Carboxymaltose for Iron-Deficiency Anemia in Patients With Advanced Gastric Cancer Receiving Palliative Chemotherapy

n=330 · NCT05226169 · RECRUITING · RECRUITING

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of IV FCM(ferric carboxymaltose) in patients with AGC receiving palliative chemotherapy. This study will also evaluate the effect of IV FCM on the treatment outcomes of palliative chemotherapy in patients with gastric cancer receiving fluoropyrimidine and platinum-based regimen in the same 1st-line palliative setting.

Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold

Cochrane

This Cochrane systematic review assesses the effects of vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold based on randomized controlled trials. It provides a synthesis of the available evidence.