Tabitha Britt is a New York-based freelance writer and editor. When she's not glued to her computer screen, she can be found walking her beloved pooch, Biscuit. Aside from writing for INSIDER, Tabitha is also the founding editor-in-chief of DO YOU ENDO — the first no-BS endometriosis magazine (by individuals with endometriosis, for individuals with endometriosis) in America. She earned her Master's degree in Creative Publishing and Critical Journalism from The New School of Social Research. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, has several important functions. These include: Lack of vitamin C can lead to scurvy. Vitamin C is found in a wide variety of fruit and vegetables. Good sources include: Adults aged 19 to 64 need 40mg of vitamin C a day. You should be able to get all the vitamin C you need from your daily diet. Vitamin C cannot be stored in the body, so you need it in your diet every day. Taking large amounts (more than 1,000mg per day) of vitamin C can cause: These symptoms should disappear once you stop taking vitamin C supplements. You should be able to get all the vitamin C you need by eating a varied and balanced diet. If you take vitamin C supplements, do not take too much as this could be harmful. Taking less than 1,000mg of vitamin C supplements a day is unlikely to cause any harm. Page last reviewed: 03 August 2020
Taking more than the recommended amount of vitamin C, which is more than 2,000 milligrams per day, results in side effects such as:
Vitamin C is also called ascorbic acid, which is one of the essential water-soluble vitamins for the body that is naturally available in all vegetables and fruits. It is an antioxidant that is believed to prevent you from getting sick because it boosts immunity, maintains normal blood pressure, prevents inflammation and increases collagen content in the skin. Although excess intake of vitamin C may not be life-threatening, it can cause several side effects. Because vitamin C is water-soluble, the body can easily expel it through urine and feces, and serious adverse effects of vitamin C toxicity are rare. What is the recommended dose of vitamin C?According to the National Institutes of Health, the recommended daily intake (RDI) of vitamin C with regard to sex and physical condition of a person is described below. Table 1. RDA of vitamin C for healthy adults and children (in mg)Age groupRDA0 to 6 months*407 to 12 months*501 to 3 years154 to 8 years259 to 13 years4514 to 18 years (males)7514 to 18 years (females)6519 years and older (males)9019 years and older (females)75*Vitamin C requirements of infants should be met through the diet.Table 2. RDA of vitamin C in special situationsPregnant teens and adolescents (14 to 18 years old)80 mgPregnant women (19 years old and older)85 mgLactating or breastfeeding teens and adolescents (14 to 18 years old)115 mgLactating or breastfeeding women (19 years old and older)120 mgSmokersAdditional 35 mg beyond the RDA as smoking depletes vitamin C levels in the bodyVitamin C is responsible for the absorption of dietary iron, so people with increased iron stores in the body (hemochromatosis) must reduce their intake of vitamin C. Usually, the body absorbs less than 50 percent of the ingested vitamin C, so there are fewer chances of overdosing on the vitamin. However, an overdose of vitamin C in people with hemochromatosis may lead to life-threatening tissue damage. Since they may interact unfavorably with medicines used to treat cancer and heart diseases, a doctor’s approval is required before taking any vitamin C supplements. Additionally, the development of kidney stones has been linked to vitamin C supplementation. SLIDESHOWVitamin D Deficiency: How Much Vitamin D Is Enough? See SlideshowWhat are the symptoms of vitamin C deficiency?Whenever there is a vitamin C deficiency, health professionals recommend supplements to rectify the deficiency and allow normal functioning of the body. Symptoms of vitamin C deficiency include:
Consumption of too many vitamin C supplements might have serious side effects. However, consumption of excess vitamin C–rich food does not develop negative effects. If a person wants to initiate vitamin supplements and has a history of adverse reactions due to vitamin C, they must consult their physician. Health News
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Medically Reviewed on 9/10/2021 References Vitamin C: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-Consumer/ Complete List Top What Happens If You Take Too Much Vitamin C Related Articles
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