Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has been studied for its effects on the respiratory system, particularly regarding its antioxidant properties and potential to support immune function. Scientific evidence suggests that vitamin C may play a role in protecting lung tissue from oxidative damage, as the lungs are exposed to high oxygen levels and pollutants that can generate free radicals. Several observational studies have found that people with higher intakes of vitamin C tend to have better lung function, and some clinical trials have examined its effects in specific conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

A few randomized controlled trials have shown that vitamin C supplementation can modestly reduce the duration and severity of respiratory infections, such as the common cold, especially in individuals under physical stress. However, the evidence for vitamin C in preventing or treating more severe lung conditions (like pneumonia or asthma) is mixed, with some studies showing small benefits and others showing none. There is also interest in vitamin C as an adjunct therapy in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), but robust clinical evidence is still lacking.

Overall, while vitamin C is not a primary treatment for lung diseases, its use to support lung health is supported by moderate scientific evidence, primarily due to its antioxidative and immune-supporting roles. The strength of the evidence is rated as moderate (3 out of 5), as more high-quality, large-scale trials are needed to clarify its benefits for lung health.

More about vitamin C
More about Lungs

Other ingredients that support Lungs

Other body systems supported by vitamin C

Products containing vitamin C

Pure Encapsulations Acerola/Flavonoid
Vitabase Active Man's Formula
Vitabase Active Woman's Multi
Designs For Health Adrenal Complex
Designs For Health Adrenal Complex
Designs For Health Adrenotone™
Designs For Health Adrenotone™
Metagenics AdvaClear
Metagenics AdvaClear
Thorne Advanced Nutrients Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations Aller-Essentials
Pure Encapsulations Aller-Essentials
Thorne Ascorbic Acid
Douglas Laboratories Ascorbplex ® 1000 Buffered
Pure Encapsulations Ascorbyl Palmitate
Metagenics Axis Endo™ Mango
Thorne Basic Nutrients 2/Day Multivitamin
Thorne Basic Prenatal Multivitamin
Designs For Health BioFizz® Immune
Vitabase Blood Sugar Formula
Metagenics Bone Builder Active
Pure Encapsulations Buffered Ascorbic Acid
Pure Encapsulations Buffered Ascorbic Acid
Pure Encapsulations Buffered Ascorbic Acid
Thorne Buffered C Powder
Integrative Therapeutics Buffered Vitamin C
Douglas Laboratories C-1000
Douglas Laboratories C-1000
Douglas Laboratories C-D-Zinc
Douglas Laboratories C-Max ®
Thorne Catalyte
Designs For Health CatecholaCalm™
Designs For Health C+BioFizz®
Vitabase Chewable Vitamin C
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Berry
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus pH
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus pH Pineapple Banana
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Pineapple Banana
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Vanilla
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Berry
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Chai
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Vanilla
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Berry
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus pH Pineapple Banana
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus pH Vanilla
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Pineapple Banana
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Vanilla
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Berry
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Chai
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Vanilla
Metagenics Clear Change Daily Essentials
Integrative Therapeutics Clinical Nutrients HP
Metagenics Collagenics®
Metagenics Cortico-B5B6®
Designs For Health CraveArrest™
Thorne Crucera-SGS
Pure Encapsulations Daily Immune
Designs For Health Detox Antiox™
Integrative Therapeutics Detoxication Factors
Integrative Therapeutics Detoxication Factors
Designs For Health Detoxification Support Packets
Designs For Health DFH Complete Multi™
Designs For Health DFH Complete Multi™ with Copper
Designs For Health DFH Complete Multi™ with Copper & Iron
Metagenics Echinacea Synergy
Integrative Therapeutics EHB
Pure Encapsulations Electrolyte/Energy Formula
Designs For Health Electrolyte Synergy™
Designs For Health ElectroPure Hydration™
Metagenics Endefen® Powder
Designs For Health EndoTrim™
Metagenics Endura® Lemonade
Pure Encapsulations Energize Plus™ Pure Pack
Pure Encapsulations Essential-C & Flavonoids
Pure Encapsulations Essential-C & Flavonoids
Pure Encapsulations EyeProtect Basics
Pure Encapsulations EyeProtect Basics without Zinc
Metagenics Fem EstroPlex®
Metagenics Fem Prenatal®
Thorne Ferrasorb
Designs For Health GastroMend-HP™
Designs For Health GastroMend-HP™
Metagenics GI Sustain™ Powder
Pure Encapsulations GlucoFunction
Pure Encapsulations GlucoFunction
Douglas Laboratories Glucosamine + MSM Forte ™
Douglas Laboratories Glucosamine Plus ™
Metagenics Glucosamine Sulfate
Metagenics Glucosamine Sulfate 750™
Metagenics GlutaClear®
Metagenics Glutagenics
Metagenics Glycogenics
Designs For Health H-S-N Radiance™
Douglas Laboratories Hair, Skin and Nails Plus
Vitabase Hair, Skin & Nails Formula
Pure Encapsulations Hair/Skin/Nails Ultra
Metagenics Herbulk® Powder Natural Orange
Pure Encapsulations Hist Reset
Designs For Health HistaEze™
Douglas Laboratories Hydrolyzed Collagen+
Metagenics ImmuCore
Metagenics Immune Active
Metagenics Immune Defense Pack
Pure Encapsulations Iron-C
Integrative Therapeutics Iron Complex
Integrative Therapeutics K-PAX MitoNutrients
Metagenics Ketogenic Shake Chocolate
Metagenics Ketogenic Shake Vanilla
Klean Athlete Klean Antioxidant ™
Klean Athlete Klean-C™
Klean Athlete Klean Collagen+C™
Klean Athlete Klean Hydration™
Klean Athlete Klean Hydration™
Klean Athlete Klean Multivitamin ™
Thorne L-Arginine Plus Perfusia Plus
Designs For Health L-Tyrosine
Vitabase Life's Essentials Plus
Pure Encapsulations Ligament Restore
Pure Encapsulations Ligament Restore
Metagenics Lipo-Gen™
Metagenics Lipo-Gen
Pure Encapsulations Liposomal Vitamin C
Designs For Health Liposomal Vitamin C
Vitabase Liquid Collagen Toasted Cinnamon
Douglas Laboratories Liquid Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations LiquiNutrients
Pure Encapsulations Macular Support Formula
Pure Encapsulations Macular Support Formula
Integrative Therapeutics Magtein L-Threonate Plus
Douglas Laboratories Malic Acid + Magnesium
Thorne MediClear Plus
Thorne Men's Multi 50+
Designs For Health Metabolic Synergy™
Designs For Health Metabolic Synergy™
Metagenics MetaGlycemX™
Metagenics MetaGlycemX
Metagenics MetaKids Multi Soft Chew Grape
Metagenics MetaKids Nutrition Powder Chocolate
Metagenics MetaKids Nutrition Powder Vanilla
Metagenics MetaKids Vitamin D3 Liquid
Pure Encapsulations Mitochondria-ATP
Metagenics MitoVive
Designs For Health Monolaurin-Avail™
Pure Encapsulations Multi t/d
Pure Encapsulations Multi t/d
Thorne Multi-Vitamin Elite NSF
Thorne Multi-Vitamin Elite NSF
Metagenics Multigenics®
Metagenics Multigenics Chewable Orange
Metagenics Multigenics Intensive Care
Metagenics Multigenics Intensive Care without Iron
Metagenics Multigenics without Iron
Integrative Therapeutics Multiplex-1 No-Iron
Douglas Laboratories Natural C
Pure Encapsulations NeuroMood Pure Pack
Pure Encapsulations Nitric Oxide Support
Designs For Health NOx Synergy™
Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950®
Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950®
Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950®
Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950® A without Copper & Iron
Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950® with NAC
Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950® with Vitamin K
Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950® without Copper, Iron & Iodine
Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950® without Iron
Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950® without Iron
Integrative Therapeutics Nutrivitamin No-Iron
Pure Encapsulations O.N.E.™ Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations O.N.E.™ Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations O.N.E.™ Multivitamin
Designs For Health OcuForce™
Pure Encapsulations OptiFerin-C
Designs For Health OsteoForce™
Designs For Health OsteoForce™
Designs For Health OsteoForce™ Supreme
Integrative Therapeutics Osteoprime Forte
Integrative Therapeutics Osteoprime Ultra
Designs For Health PaleoCleanse Plus™
Designs For Health PaleoCleanse Plus™
Designs For Health PaleoCleanse Plus™ Detox Program
Designs For Health PaleoCleanse Plus™Chocolate Detox Kit
Designs For Health PaleoMeal®
Designs For Health PaleoMeal®
Integrative Therapeutics Physicians Elemental Diet Dextrose Free
Integrative Therapeutics Physician's Elemental Diet
Integrative Therapeutics Physician's Elemental Diet
Integrative Therapeutics Physicians Elemental Diet Kit
Metagenics PhytoGanix® Tropical Fruit
Metagenics PhytoMulti™ Multivitamin
Metagenics PhytoMulti With Iron
Metagenics PhytoMulti Without Iron
Metagenics PhytoMultivitamin
Designs For Health Plant Protein Cleanse
Designs For Health Plant Protein Cleanse Plus™ 570g
Designs For Health Plant Protein Meal
Designs For Health Plant Protein Meal Plus
Designs For Health Plant Protein Meal
Metagenics PlusOne® Daily Prenatal Packs
Pure Encapsulations Polyphenol Nutrients
Pure Encapsulations Polyphenol Nutrients
Douglas Laboratories Prenatal
Pure Encapsulations PreNatal Nutrients
Pure Encapsulations PreNatal Nutrients
Designs For Health Prenatal Pro™
Designs For Health Primal Multi™
Integrative Therapeutics ProThrivers Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations PureDefense
Pure Encapsulations PureDefense with NAC
Pure Encapsulations PureDefense with NAC
Pure Encapsulations PureGenomics® Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations PureGenomics® UltraMultivitamin
Pure Encapsulations PureLean® Protein
Pure Encapsulations PurePals
Pure Encapsulations PurePals with Iron
Pure Encapsulations PureResponse™ Multivitamin
Vitabase Quercetin Plus
Designs For Health Quercetin-Ascorbate
Douglas Laboratories Quercetin-Bromelain Complex
Douglas Laboratories Selenium Plus
Pure Encapsulations SeroPlus
Metagenics Sinuplex®
Designs For Health Stellar C™
Thorne Stress Balance Phytisone
Vitabase Super Antioxidant Formula
Vitabase Super Fat Burner
Vitabase Super Stress Formula
Thorne Thyrocsin
Pure Encapsulations Thyroid Support Complex
Designs For Health Twice Daily Essential Packets
Designs For Health Twice Daily Multi™
Designs For Health Twice Daily Multi™
Designs For Health Twice Daily Multi™
Metagenics Ultra Glucose Control® Chocolate
Metagenics Ultra Glucose Control Chocolate
Metagenics Ultra Glucose Control Vanilla
Metagenics Ultra Glucose Control Vanilla
Metagenics Ultra Potent-C 1000
Metagenics Ultra Potent-C 500
Metagenics Ultra Potent-C Chewable
Metagenics Ultra Potent-C Powder
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive ® 2 Daily
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive 50+ -EZ Swallow
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive ®-EZ Swallow
Douglas Laboratories ULTRA PREVENTIVE® III W/COPPER
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive ® Kids Grape Flavor
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive ® Kids Orange Flavor
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive One Daily
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive® X
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Protein Green
Pure Encapsulations Ultra Pure Pack
Metagenics UltraClear Detox Powder
Metagenics UltraClear Plus® Detox Powder
Metagenics UltraClear Plus Detox Powder Berry
Metagenics UltraClear Plus Detox Powder Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics UltraClear Plus pH Detox Powder Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics UltraClear Plus pH Detox Powder Vanilla
Metagenics UltraClear RENEW Detox Powder Berry
Metagenics UltraClear RENEW Detox Powder Chai
Metagenics UltraClear RENEW Detox Powder Vanilla
Pure Encapsulations UltraDetox 10-Day Pure Pack
Metagenics UltraGI Replenish® Chocolate
Metagenics UltraGI Replenish Chocolate
Metagenics UltraGI Replenish Vanilla
Metagenics UltraGI Replenish Vanilla
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360°® Chocolate/Orange
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Mango
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Mango
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Orange
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Original Spice
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics UltraMeal Advanced Protein® Dutch Chocolate
Metagenics UltraMeal Advanced Protein French Vanilla
Metagenics UltraMeal Advanced Protein Plain
Metagenics UltraMeal Cardio 360°® Pea/Rice Chocolate
Metagenics UltraMeal Cardio 360° Pea/Rice Vanilla
Metagenics UltraMeal® Daily Support Dutch Chocolate
Metagenics UltraMeal Daily Support Mixed Berry
Metagenics UltraMeal Rice Vanilla
Pure Encapsulations UltraNutrient®
Pure Encapsulations UltraNutrient®
Pure Encapsulations UltraNutrient®
Pure Encapsulations Uric Acid Formula
Designs For Health Vessel Forte™
Pure Encapsulations VisionPro Nutrients
Pure Encapsulations Vitamin C
Douglas Laboratories Vitamin C 1000 mg
Vitabase Vitamin C
Douglas Laboratories Vitamin C
Designs For Health Vitamin C Buffered Powder
Thorne Vitamin C With Flavonoids
Integrative Therapeutics Vitamin C with Quercetin
Metagenics Vitamin D3 Liquid
Designs For Health Weight Loss Support Packets
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Active Daily Packs
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Brain Health Daily Packs
Metagenics Wellness Essentials® Daily Packs
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Healthy Balance Daily Packs
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Men's Vitality Daily Packs
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Women's Daily Packs
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Women's Prime Daily Packs
Thorne Women's Multi 50+
Pure Encapsulations Women's Nutrients
Pure Encapsulations Women's Nutrients
Designs For Health Women's Twice Daily Essential Packets