In today’s age, it’s almost impossible to escape stress. Stressors are everywhere – at work, at home, even on the road. Most episodes of stress are transient, dissipating once you’ve delivered that big project, restored order in your house, or made it through peak hour traffic. However, when the stress persists for a while, the prolonged physiological strain on your body can increase the risk of various health conditions.
How does chronic stress affect the body?
A sustained stress state affects multiple organ systems and functions, including:
- Increased secretion of catecholamines (norepinephrine and epinephrine) and cortisol
- Dysfunction and inflammation of the cardiovascular system
- Airway inflammation
- Increased inflammation in the gut, an altered microbiome, and decreased nutrient absorption
- Muscle wasting and decreased bone density
- Suppressed immune function, increased risk of infection, and poorer wound healing
- Disrupted gonadotropin-releasing hormone, resulting in subfertility in both men and women (Chu et al, 2024)
The role of vitamin C in chronic stress
A study investigating the effects of vitamin C supplementation in women under chronic stress has returned promising results. 69 women diagnosed with elevated blood cortisol (hypercortisolaemia) were divided into three roughly equal groups and followed for a period of two months. One group consisted of patients with elevated cortisol, the second group with both elevated cortisol and another stress hormone known as DHEA-S, and the third group with elevated DHEA-S but normal cortisol.
Each of the three groups were further divided into a test subgroup who received a daily oral supplementation of 1000mg vitamin C, and the control group who continued with their usual diet.
The results after two months? In all three groups, the women who received vitamin C supplementation measured lower levels of both cortisol and DHEA-S, while the untreated group had no significant changes to their stress hormone levels. The improvement in cortisol and DHEA-S was statistically significant for all the test groups.1
Vitamin C supplements have also demonstrated some usefulness in helping to manage stress-related mood disorders, improving low mood symptoms and psychological stress. Several clinical studies have hypothesised that this could be because of the suppressive effect of vitamin C on stress hormones.2
Vitamin C infusions for stress
Combat your stress with a vitamin C infusion at Adelaide’s oldest IV nutrient therapy clinic, here at Professional Integrative Medicine. In addition to providing high-dose vitamin C infusions produced according to the Good Manufacturing Practice guidelines, our clinic provides a relaxing environment staffed by experienced registered nurses.
Reserve your appointment at our IV nutrient infusion clinic today.
References
- Beglaryan N, Hakobyan G, Nazaretyan E. Vitamin C supplementation alleviates hypercortisolemia caused by chronic stress. Stress Health. 2024 Jun;40(3):e3347
- Moritz B, Schmitz AE, Rodrigues ALS, Dafre AL, Cunha MP. The role of vitamin C in stress-related disorders. The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. 2020;85:108459