Proper Name: Vitamin C

Common Name: Vitamin C/ Ascorbic Acid

Evidence of Efficacy: statement to the effect of
Vitamin C deficiency or imbalance plays a role in the symptoms of mood disorders.¹ Observational and experimental studies have shown an association between vitamin C and aggression², anxiety^3,4, bipolar disorder^5,6,7, depression^{8,9,10,11,12,13}, and schizophrenia^14,15,16.

References:

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2. LJ Hippchen, Ed. Ecologic-Biochemical Approaches to Treatment of Delinquents. New York, Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1978.
3. Heseker H, Kubler W, Pudel V, Westenhoffer J. Psychological disorders as early symptoms of a mild-moderate vitamin deficiency. Ann N Y Acad Sci 669:352-7, 1992.
4. Maas JW. Arch Gen Psychiatry 4:109, 1961.
5. Schorah CJ et al. Plasma vitamin C concentrations in patients in a psychiatric hospital. Hum Nutr Clin Nutr 37C:447-52, 1983.
6. Milner G. Ascorbic acid in chronic psychiatric patients: A controlled trial. Br J Psychiatry 109:294-9, 1963.
7. Naylor GJ, Smith AHW., Vanadium: A possible aetiological factor in manic-depressive illness. Psychol Med 11:249-56, 1981.
8. Hodges RE et al. Clinical manifestations of ascorbic acid deficiency in man. Am J Clin Nutr 24:432-43, 1971.
9. Singh RB, Niaz MA, Ghosh S, et al. Dietary intake and plasma levels of antioxidant vitamins in health and disease: a hospital-based case-control study. J Nutr Environ Med 5:235-42, 1995.
10. Schorah CJ et al. Plasma vitamin C concentration in patients in a psychiatric hospital. Hum Nutr Clin Nutr 37C:447-52, 1983.
11. Kinsman RA, Hood J. Some behavioral effects of ascorbic acid deficiency. Am J Clin Nutr 24(4):455-64, 1971.
12. Cocchi P, Cocchi C Jr. Letter. J Orthomol Med 4(2):96-7, 1989.
13. Cocchi P et al. Antidepressant effect of vitamin C. Letter. Pediatrics 65:862-3, 1980.
14. Singh RB, Niaz MA, Ghosh S, et al. Dietary intake and plasma levels of antioxidant vitamins in health and disease: a hospital-based case-control study. J Nutr Environ Med 5:235-42, 1995.
15. Suboticanec K. Vitamin C status in schizophrenia. Bibl Nutr Dieta 38:173-81, 1986.
16. Suboticanec K, Folnegovic-Smalc V, Korbar M, et al. Vitamin C status in chronic schizophrenia. Biol Psychiatry 28(11):959-66, 1990.