Relationship: Anemia and vitamin C

Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin C
For the health condition: Anemia

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is scientifically validated as a supportive agent in the management of certain types of anemia, particularly iron deficiency anemia. The primary mechanism is its ability to enhance the absorption of non-heme iron (the form of iron found in plant-based foods) in the gastrointestinal tract. Vitamin C reduces ferric iron (Fe3+) to ferrous iron (Fe2+), the latter of which is more readily absorbed by intestinal mucosal cells. Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated that consuming vitamin C with iron-rich foods or supplements can significantly increase serum ferritin and hemoglobin levels in individuals with iron deficiency anemia.

Guidelines from organizations such as the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend co-administration of vitamin C with oral iron therapy to maximize iron absorption. A 2019 randomized controlled trial published in The Lancet Haematology confirmed that vitamin C supplementation improved the efficacy of oral iron in anemic patients, though some recent studies suggest that very high doses may not offer additional benefit over dietary amounts.

Historically, vitamin C has not been used as a primary treatment for anemia, but its role as an iron absorption enhancer is well established in modern clinical practice. It is not effective for anemia unrelated to iron deficiency (such as anemia of chronic disease or hemolytic anemia). In summary, vitamin C is scientifically justified as adjunctive therapy for iron deficiency anemia, with moderate to strong evidence supporting its use.

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5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
Abalone
Abrus
Achyranthes
Adzuki bean
Aerva lanata
Agrimonia pilosa
Ajuga
Alchornea
Alfalfa
Algae
Algal protein
Allium tuberosum
amaranth
amino acids
anchovies
Angelica
animal protein
animal Tissue
apple
Ardisia
ashwagandha
aster root
Asteraceae
astragaloside
astragalus
Auricularia
Autumn Olive
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
banana
baobab
bean
bee pollen
bee products
beef
Beef liver
Beef Protein
beet
bermuda grass
berry
Bidens pilosa
biota seed
bird\'s nest
black cumin
black gram
black nightshade
blackberry
blackboard tree
Blepharis
Blue-Green Alage
Boerhavia diffusa
bok choy
Bombax
bone marrow
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
bovine
bovine liver
bovine protein
bovine spleen
breadnut
broad bean
broccoli
Brussel sprouts
Buckwheat
buffalo
Butea monosperma
butternut
C-phycocyanin
Caesalpinia crista
canihua
capillary artemisia
cashew
cassava
caterpillar mushroom
catjang cowpea
Celosia
cereal grass
chard
chestnut
chickpea protein
chlorella
Chlorophytum
cistanche
Citrus
coconut milk
Codonopsis
collard
cordyceps
cowpea
cumin
Curcuma
currant
Cyathula
Cynomorium
cytokines
date
deer root
dehydroascorbic acid
dodder
dog rose
Dolichos
dong quai
dong quai root
dragon fruit
dulse
dulse leaf
Eclipta
egg
Embelia
empresstree
Eupolyphaga sinensis
European five-finger grass
Fagopyrum
ferric ammonium citrate
ferric citrate
ferric orthophosphate
ferritin
fig
fish
fish protein
fo-ti
folate
folic acid
folinic acid
Foxtail millet
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fruit
fu ling
fulvic acid
ganoderma
garbanzo bean
garden cress
ginger
ginseng
Ginsenosides
goji berry
gooseberry
greens blend (proprietary)
Helicteres isora
herbal blend (proprietary)
hibiscus
hijiki
Histidine
horse gram
Huang hua
hyacinth bean
Hygrophila
Ilex
Indian coraltree
Indian tinospora
intrinsic factor
iron
jujube
jungli-bean
kale
kidney beans
kiwi
Kokilaksha
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
Labisia pumila
Lactoferrin
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Laver
Legume protein
lemon
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Lentinula edodes mycelia
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licorice root
lingzhi
liquid liver fractions
little ironweed
longan
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lotus seed
lucuma
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maca
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millet seed
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nut grass
oat
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orange
oyster mushroom
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parsley
paw paw
peony
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plantain
plum fruit
pollen
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pomegranate
pomelo
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protein
Prunus
pumpkin
punarnava
purslane
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
quail egg
quinoa
Rehmannia
rehmannia glutinosa
reishi mushroom
rhizome
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
root tuber
Rosa roxburghii
royal jelly
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seaweed
sesame
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shepherd's purse
shiitake mushroom
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soybean
spinach
spirulina
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suma
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vitamin A
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vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
Wakame
Watercress
wheat germ
wheat grass
Wulinshen
Yeast
Yellow Dock
Zinc
Zucchini

Other health conditions supported by vitamin C

Abrasions
Abscesses
Acne
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Addictions (general remedies for)
Addison's Disease
Adrenal Fatigue
Age Spots
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
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Alzheimer's Disease
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Anemia
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
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Teeth (loose)
Tendonitis
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Toxemia
Triglycerides (high)
Tuberculosis
Ulcerations (external)
Ulcers
Uric Acid Retention
Urinary Tract Infections
Vaginitis
Varicose Veins
Warts
Wounds and Sores
Wrinkles

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Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin C
For the health condition: Anemia

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Other ingredients used for Anemia

Other health conditions supported by vitamin C

Products containing vitamin C

Health Concerns

Brands

Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin CFor the health condition: Anemia

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Other ingredients used for Anemia

Other health conditions supported by vitamin C

Products containing vitamin C

Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin C
For the health condition: Anemia