Vitamin C

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, has been known as a necessary component for immune function for many years, prompting many people to use vitamin C supplements to help prevent and treat infections.

However, other studies have demonstrated that vitamin C is involved in essentially every phase of wound healing. Deficiencies in vitamin C severely limit ability to heal wounds and other tissues of the body.

Studies dating back to the 1920s, including a study in the New England Journal of Medicine, have demonstrated this vitamin's positive effect on healing.*

Sources:

Ringsdorf WM, Cheraskin E. Vitamin C and human wound healing. Oral Surg, Oral Med, Oral Path 1982; 53:231-236.

Bartlett MK, et al. Vitamin C and wound healing: II. Ascorbic acid content and tensile strength of healing wounds in human beings. New Eng J of Med 1942; 226:472-479.

MacKay D, Miller AL. Nutritional support for wound healing. Altern Med Rev. 2003;8(4):359-377.

Carr AC, Maggini S. Vitamin C and Immune Function. Nutrients. 2017;9(11):1211. Published 2017 Nov 3.

*Disclaimer:  If you suffer from any medical illness or have medical concerns or questions, please speak with your healthcare provider. The information on wound healing found on this site is derived from peer-reviewed research and information drawn from medical societies and governmental agencies, links to which are available under “Sources.” However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.