Relationship: Infection (bacterial) and vitamin C

Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin C
For the health condition: Infection (bacterial)

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Synopsis
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Synopsis

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

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has been explored for its role in supporting or treating bacterial infections, but evidence remains limited. Historically, vitamin C has been used in various cultures for general immune support, but its direct application to bacterial infections is primarily based on scientific inquiry rather than deep traditional use. Mechanistically, vitamin C is involved in several immune functions, including supporting epithelial barrier integrity, enhancing phagocytic cell function, and promoting the oxidative burst necessary to kill pathogens. Some in vitro and animal studies suggest vitamin C may inhibit the growth of certain bacteria or enhance the action of antibiotics.

Clinical evidence in humans, however, is less robust. A few small studies and case reports have indicated that high-dose vitamin C may reduce the severity or duration of some bacterial infections (such as pneumonia), especially in individuals with vitamin C deficiency. However, large-scale randomized controlled trials are lacking, and systematic reviews generally conclude that while vitamin C supplementation is safe and may be beneficial in deficiency states, its routine use as adjunct therapy for bacterial infections is not supported by strong evidence. Therefore, the current scientific support for vitamin C in treating bacterial infections rates as moderate to low (2 out of 5), with its main benefit likely limited to populations at risk of deficiency rather than as a general antimicrobial agent.

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Other ingredients used for Infection (bacterial)

15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
2'-Fucosyllactose
3-Phenyllactic Acid
Abies spectabilis
Abrus
Abuta
Acacia
Acemannan
Achyranthes
Agarikon Mushroom
Agastache
Agave
Ajoene
Alantolactone
Alchornea
Alcohol
Allicin
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
Allspice
Allyl isothiocyanate
Allyl sulfide
alpha-pinene
alpha-terpineol
Alstonia scholaris
Amor seco
anamu
Andrographis
andrographolide
annatto
apple cider vinegar
Asam gelugor
Asarum heterotropoides
aucubin
avens
babchi
Baccharis dracunculifolia
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Bacillus
bacillus clausii
Bacillus licheniformis
bacillus subtilis
Backhousia citriodora
bacteria
Baphicacanthus cusia
barberry
Basidiomycota
Bassia scoparia
Bauhinia
bayberry
bearberry
bee propolis
Belamcanda
bentonite
benzyl isothiocyanate
berberine
Berberis (unspecified)
Bergenia
beta-glucan
betel
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
black cumin
black nightshade
black pepper
black walnut
blackboard tree
Blepharis
Brazilian peppertree
Brevibacillus brevis
burdock
Caesalpinia crista
cajuput
calamus
Campsiandra angustifolia
caprylic acid
carvacrol
cassia bark
cat's claw
Ceanothus integerrimus
celandine
Celosia
Centipeda
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Chiococca alba
chirata
cinquefoil
Cistus
Clerodendrum trichotomum
cocklebur
coconut oil
Coin-leaf desmodium
Combretum quadrangulare
copaiba oil
Coptis chinensis
coriolus mushroom
cosmos
curcumin
cuspidatum root
Cymbidium goeringii
Cynodon dactylon
dehydroabietic acid
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
dialyzable leukocyte extract
Dichrostachys glomerata
divi-divi
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
elemi
elephant\'s head
Embelia
eucalyptus
eugenol
Euphorbia
fang-feng
Ficus religiosa
Flueggea suffruticosa
Fomes fomentarius
fucoidan
galangin
Gallesia
geraniol
geranium
ginger
Globulins
glyceryl caprylate caprate
glyceryl monolaurate
golden shower tree
goldenseal
Graviola
Guazuma ulmifolia
heartwood
Horsemint
Houttuynia
Humic acid
Hydrocolloid
Hygrophila
immunoglobin G
Immunoglobulin G
Indian coraltree
iodine
Isoalantolactone
isothiocyanates
Kachnar
Kefiran
Kigelia africana
knotgrass
Kochia
L. lactis
Labdanum
lactic acid
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus crispatus
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus kefiri
Lactobacillus lactis
Lactobacillus paracasei
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactococcus casei
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
Lantana camara
Lapachol
lauric acid
Lauric arginate
Leptadenia
Leptospermum scoparium
lichen
licorice root
lime
liverwort
Lophira lanceolata
Lysimachia
lysozyme
Macaranga indica
Mahonia
Malva sylvestris
mangostanol
mangosteen
mangostin
mannose
manzanita
Marsh Tea
Matapalo Tree
Methenamine
Mezoneuron benthamianum
Microtea debilis
Milkweed
Mondo grass
Monolaurin
Moringa
Mountain horopito
Myrobalan
Myrrh
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Naphthoquinones
Nasturtium
Nisin
Oldenlandia diffusa
oriental arborvitae
Orris
Osha
Paenibacillus polymyxa
Pareira
pau d'arco
Pediococcus acidilactici
Pentatropis capensis
Pepper Bark Tree
Peroxidase
Phellodendron
phlorotannins
Phragmites
Piper retrofractum
pistacia integerrima gall
Plectranthus amboinicus
Pluchea
Plumbago zeylanica
Premna
probiotics
purified silver
purple Tephrosia
Quebracho
Quisqualis
red root
Rosa laevigata
Rubia cordifolia
Rubia yunnanensis
Saccharomyces boulardii
Sanguisorba
Sarcandra glabra
sarsaparilla
Savory
schizonepeta
sea salt
Self-Heal
Sesquiterpenic Acid
shiitake mushroom
Shikonin
Simaruba
Siphoviridae
Smoketree
Spanish Needle
Spilanthes
Stemona
Storax
Streptococcus salivarius
streptococcus thermophilus
Streptomyces
Streptomyces cellulosae
Streptomyces fradiae
Streptomyces griseoflavus
Sulfated polysaccharide
Swertia
Sword Bean
Tannins
Teri Pod
Terpinen-4-ol
Thiosulfinate
Thuja
Thymol
Trametes
turmeric
Umckalin
Umckaloabo
Verbascoside
vitamin C
vitamin D
Waltheria ovata
Wasabi
White oak
Xanthorrhizol
Yellow root
Zinc
Zingerone

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
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Anemia
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Antibiotics (side effects of)
Anxiety
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Bell's Palsy
Bites and Stings
Bladder Infection
Bleeding (external)
Bleeding (internal)
Blood Poisoning
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Bruises (prevention)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Capillary Weakness
Carbuncles
Cardiovascular Disease
Cartilage Damage
Cataracts
Cervical Dysplasia
Chemical Poisoning
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Chicken Pox
Cholesterol (high)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colon (atonic)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Conjunctivitis
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Copper Toxicity
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cuts
Cystic Breast Disease
Cystic Fibrosis
Debility
Dementia
Denture Sores
Depression
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Environmental Pollution
Epstein Barr Virus
Eye Problems
Eyesight (poor)
Fatigue
Fatty Liver Disease
Free Radical Damage
Gall Stones
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Glaucoma
Gonorrhea
Gout
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Heart (weakness)
Heavy Metal Poisoning
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Herpes
Hot Flashes
Hypertension
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Infertility
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Knees (weak)
Laryngitis
Lead Poisoning
Lesions
Leucorrhea
Leukemia
Ligaments (torn or injured)
Liver Detoxification
Lyme Disease
Macular Degeneration
Mastitis
Measles
Memory and Brain Function
Menorrhagia
Menstrual Irregularity
Menstruation (scant)
Metabolic Syndrome
Mononucleosis
Mumps
Nose Bleeds
Oral Surgery
Osteoporosis
Pancreatitis
PMS (general)
PMS Type C
PMS Type H
Pneumonia
Post Partum Weakness
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Progesterone (low)
Prolapsed Uterus
Prostatitis
Radiation Sickness
Rashes and Hives
Restless Leg Syndrome
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic
Rosacea
Scars / Scar Tissue
Schizophrenia
Scratches and Abrasions
Scurvy
Shingles
Shock
Sinus Infection
Skin (infections)
Skin Care (general)
Sore Throat
Spider Veins
Spinal Disks
Sprains
Strep Throat
Stretch Marks
Sunburn
Surgery (healing from)
Surgery (preparation for)
Teeth (loose)
Tendonitis
Thrush
Tickle in Throat
Tonsillitis
Tooth Extraction
Toxemia
Triglycerides (high)
Tuberculosis
Ulcerations (external)
Ulcers
Uric Acid Retention
Urinary Tract Infections
Vaginitis
Varicose Veins
Warts
Wounds and Sores
Wrinkles

Products containing vitamin C

Health Concerns

Brands

Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin C
For the health condition: Infection (bacterial)

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Other ingredients used for Infection (bacterial)

Other health conditions supported by vitamin C

Products containing vitamin C

Health Concerns

Brands

Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin CFor the health condition: Infection (bacterial)

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Other ingredients used for Infection (bacterial)

Other health conditions supported by vitamin C

Products containing vitamin C

Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin C
For the health condition: Infection (bacterial)