Chronic stress is a major contributor to numerous diseases resulting from stress-induced hormonal and metabolic changes. Therefore, researchers are increasingly investigating ways to mitigate these harmful effects, including the management of hypercortisolemia. A study published in the journal Stress and Health examined the role of vitamin C in alleviating stress-induced hypercortisolemia.
The study¹ investigated whether supplementation with ascorbic acid could lower elevated levels of cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) in individuals suffering from chronic stress. It involved 69 women with high baseline hormone levels. Participants were divided into three groups based on their hormonal profiles and then split further into two subgroups: one received oral vitamin C supplementation, and the other did not (in each group, one subgroup received 1000 mg of vitamin C daily, while the other had no changes in diet). After two months, significant reductions in cortisol and DHEA-S levels were observed in the groups receiving vitamin C. For example, cortisol levels in one group dropped from 780 ± 57 to 446 ± 26 nmol/L, and DHEA-S levels in another group decreased from 13.9 ± 1.6 to 9.9 ± 1.2 (p < 0.0007).
The findings suggest that vitamin C supplementation can help normalize the levels of so-called “stress hormones” — cortisol and DHEA-S — in women with chronic stress, indicating the potential role of ascorbic acid in managing stress-related hormonal imbalances.
The mechanisms behind this effect have been the subject of many studies. The stress response is primarily mediated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathoadrenal system (SAS). Increased secretion of vitamin C by the liver and adrenal glands likely plays a key role in the coordinated physiological response to stress. Activation of the HPA axis leads to ACTH production in the anterior pituitary, followed by increased synthesis and release of cortisol. Simultaneously, SAS activation triggers the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline by the adrenal medulla and sympathetic nervous system. Elevated levels of circulating cortisol and catecholamines act through various mechanisms to increase cardiovascular reserve and provide a rapid source of energy (glucose and lactate) for the brain, heart, and skeletal muscles — essential for the classic “fight or flight” response.
Vitamin C has numerous biological effects, many of which are likely relevant to the stress response and act synergistically with cortisol and catecholamines. Most notably, vitamin C is essential for catecholamine synthesis and for maintaining a normal adrenergic response.²
References:
Beglaryan, N., Hakobyan, G., Nazaretyan, E. Vitamin C supplementation alleviates hypercortisolemia caused by chronic stress. Stress Health. 2024;40(3):e3347. doi: 10.1002/smi.3347
Marik, P.E. Vitamin C: an essential “stress hormone” during sepsis. J Thorac Dis. 2020;12(Suppl 1): S84–S88. doi: 10.21037/jtd.2019.12.64
Author: MUDr. Pavel Kostiuk, CSc.