Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin C (ascorbic palmitate)
For the health condition: Bruises (prevention)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin C, including its fat-soluble derivative ascorbyl palmitate, has some scientific support for its use in the prevention and treatment of bruising, though the evidence is limited and primarily based on the role of vitamin C in collagen synthesis and capillary integrity. Vitamin C is essential for the hydroxylation of proline and lysine residues during the formation of collagen, a key structural protein in blood vessels and skin. Deficiency of vitamin C leads to weakened blood vessel walls, resulting in increased susceptibility to bruising, as seen in scurvy.

Several case reports and small studies have shown that vitamin C supplementation can reduce easy bruising, particularly in individuals with low baseline vitamin C status. For example, individuals with unexplained bruising and low serum vitamin C have experienced symptom improvement after supplementation. However, robust randomized controlled trials specifically investigating vitamin C (or ascorbyl palmitate) for the prevention of bruises in otherwise healthy individuals are lacking. Most evidence comes from observational data, case series, and extrapolation from the known pathophysiology of vitamin C deficiency.

Ascorbyl palmitate itself is a fat-soluble form of vitamin C and is often used as an antioxidant in food and supplements. Its conversion to active vitamin C in the body supports the rationale for its use, but direct studies on this specific form for bruising are minimal. In summary, while there is a plausible scientific basis and some supporting evidence for vitamin C in bruise prevention, the overall quality and quantity of evidence are modest.

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