vitamin · for low mood
Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps make the brain chemicals behind mood — that was the theory, not the result.
Say that in clinical terms
Vitamin C is involved in synthesis of neurotransmitters implicated in mood, which is the theoretical rationale, but this trial did not confirm a mood benefit.
How strong is the research?
No Benefit evidence
Attention improved. Stress, mood and depression did not.
Low-quality evidence
1 paper read, 1 against.
Tested as: 1000 mg/day oral vitamin C for 4 weeks in healthy young adults with low vitamin C status
How much to take
1000 mg
Before you take it
- NIH ODS Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for adults is 2,000 mg/day (combined dietary and supplemental intake)
- GI distress (osmotic diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramping) commonly occurs above 1,000 mg/day due to unabsorbed ascorbic acid reaching the colon
- Sustained high-dose supplementation increases risk of calcium oxalate kidney stones; particular caution warranted in individuals with prior nephrolithiasis or hyperoxaluria
- Vitamin C markedly enhances non-heme iron absorption; supplemental doses are contraindicated in hemochromatosis and other iron-overload conditions
- High-dose Vitamin C antioxidant activity may attenuate the efficacy of chemotherapy and radiation therapy; per NIH ODS, consultation with an oncologist is required before supplementing during active cancer treatment
- High-dose Vitamin C combined with antioxidant mixtures (including vitamin E, beta-carotene, selenium) may blunt the HDL-raising effect of niacin-statin combination therapy per NIH ODS