Vitamin C for Stress Hormone Regulation
Vitamin C is concentrated in the adrenals but supplementation evidence is old and thin.
Overview
Verdict
How It Works
Dosing & Protocol
Typical dose
- Recommended dose
- 500-1000mg/day if trialled
- Expected timeframe
- 2-4 weeks
Protocol
- form
- Ascorbic acid, or buffered ascorbate if stomach upset occurs
- duration
- Trials ran 1-2 weeks around an acute stressor
- co factor
- Evidence is insufficient. The adrenal cortex holds one of the highest vitamin C concentrations in the body and releases it during ACTH stimulation, which is the mechanistic basis. Small studies support some effect: Brody and colleagues found 3,000 mg/day of sustained-release vitamin C for 14 days reduced blood pressure, cortisol and subjective stress responses to a public speaking task, and an ultramarathon study found reduced post-race cortisol. Other studies found nothing, sample sizes are very small, and no trial has examined chronic stress or clinically relevant endpoints.
- titration
- Not applicable; the tolerable upper intake level is 2,000 mg/day, which several of these studies exceeded
- starting dose
- Not established for this outcome. Cortisol studies used 1,000-3,000 mg/day
Evidence
What the studies say
No studies are yet linked to both Vitamin C and Stress Hormone Regulation.
Safety
Caveats
Old, small studies. High doses cause GI upset and raise oxalate load.
Less likely to help if
Medical Disclaimer
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Individual results may vary. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.