But sometimes people go a little overboard and start consuming too much Vitamin C. In fact, you can actually overdose on Vitamin C. To learn more about Vitamin C toxicity, keep reading. We all know we need to take Vitamin C in some form every single day to stay as healthy as possible. Generally speaking, any male 19 years or older should take 90 mg of Vitamin C per day. The side effects typically occur in those people taking the vitamin in supplement form.
There are actually quite a few side effects related to excessive Vitamin C consumption. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, heartburn, and esophagitis. You may also notice stomach cramps, diarrhea or intestinal obstruction. However, you can also experience symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, feeling sleepy or insomnia. Flushed skin is also a symptom. A more serious side effect is kidney stones. And the longer you consume 2, mg or more of Vitamin C each day, it increases your risk of experiencing significant side effects.
Some medicines contain aluminum such as phosphate binders. Taking more than 2, mg in supplement form can increase your absorption of aluminum. This can be harmful to people suffering from kidney problems. However, speak with your physician first as there is a difference in opinion on antioxidants and its effects on chemotherapy. You may opt-out of e-mail communications at any time by clicking on the Unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information.
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This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Request Appointment. Healthy Lifestyle Nutrition and healthy eating. Products and services. Is it possible to take too much vitamin C? Answer From Katherine Zeratsky, R. With Katherine Zeratsky, R. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Frequently eating foods high in vitamin C should not lead to any health issues. Taking too much vitamin C through supplements can, however, cause side effects.
In adults, the recommended dietary allowance RDA of vitamin C is 90 milligrams mg for males and 75 mg for females. When a person takes more than the recommended limit of vitamin C, they may experience mild digestive disturbances.
These can occur if the vitamin C that the body does not absorb irritates the gastrointestinal tract. The excess leaves the body in the urine. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements ODS , the upper limit for vitamin C intake in people aged 19 years and over is 2, mg in males and females.
The limit remains the same for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Some people may have to take larger amounts of vitamin C for medical treatments. Less commonly, people may experience severe side effects from taking too much vitamin C. Long term intake above the recommended levels increases the risk of these negative effects. Doctors believe that too much vitamin C supplementation could result in a person excreting the compounds oxalate and uric acid in their urine.
These compounds could lead to kidney stone formation. The authors of a case study in the journal Kidney International reported that a woman developed kidney stones after taking 4 g or more of vitamin C each day for 4 months. However, researchers have not conducted any larger scale studies on vitamin C intake and kidney stone formation.
They do know that people who have a history of kidney stones are more likely to form them if they take large amounts of vitamin C, according to the ODS.
For example, vitamin C may reduce the levels of vitamin B and copper in the body. The presence of vitamin C can also enhance iron absorption in the body, which could lead to excessively high levels. According to the Arthritis Foundation , one study found that the presence of very high vitamin C levels in the body increased the likelihood of a person developing painful bone spurs.
However, the Foundation also cited a research study that found that people with low levels of vitamin C had a higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis , a painful inflammatory joint condition.
These findings emphasize the need for appropriate vitamin C supplementation that provides neither too much nor too little. This drug combines the vitamin niacin with the statin simvastatin Zocor , and people take it to treat high cholesterol. If a person takes vitamin C supplements and niacin-simvastatin, they should talk to their doctor about ways to make each more effective. Doctors do not know whether vitamin C also affects the ability of other medicines similar to Zocor.
If someone is at risk of a vitamin C deficiency, they can take vitamin C supplements.
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