Vitamin C Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing - WebMD (2024)

FAQs

What are the side effects of vitamin C Webmd? ›

Special Precautions and Warnings

In some people, vitamin C might cause side effects such as stomach cramps, nausea, heartburn, and headache. The chance of getting these side effects increases with higher doses. Taking more than 2000 mg daily is possibly unsafe and may cause kidney stones and severe diarrhea.

Taking too much vitamin C in the form of a vitamin supplement can result in nausea, abdominal cramps, headaches, fatigue, kidney stones and diarrhoea. High doses of vitamin C can also interfere with the way your body absorbs other essential nutrients, such as iron.

Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps/pain, or heartburn may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, remember that your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.

High vitamin C levels can cause increases in oxalates, which make you more prone to kidney stones, especially for people with poor kidney function, per the NIH. Vitamin C doses greater than 1 gram may increase the chances of stone formation by 41%, per the 2021 review in Nutrients.

In other cases, mixing can destabilize or cancel out the benefits of the antioxidant. Here are some ingredients to never mix with vitamin C: Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs): Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Citric Acid, Tartaric Acid. Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs): Tropic Acid, Betaine Salicylate, Salix Acid.

Pairing vitamin C with AHA/BHAs and Retinol can cause skin peeling, irritation, and redness. Vitamin C pairs well with niacinamide, vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid.

Vitamin C is generally considered safe because your body gets rid of what it does not use. But at high doses (more than 2,000 mg daily) it can cause diarrhea, gas, or stomach upset. If you experience these side effects, lower the dose of vitamin C.

The upper limit for vitamin C in adults is 2,000 mg. Individuals with chronic liver disease, gout, or kidney disease are recommended to take no more than 1,000 mg of vitamin C per day. High vitamin C intakes have the potential to increase urinary oxalate and uric acid excretion.

Why avoid taking vitamin C at night? ›

There isn't a specific reason to avoid taking vitamin C at night for everyone. However, some individuals might choose to avoid it due to potential side effects, such as increased energy levels or mild stimulation, which could interfere with sleep.

Kakadu plums

It has the highest known concentration of vitamin C of any food, containing up to 2,907 mg per 100 grams (g). Just one plum (about 15 g) packs 436 mg of vitamin C, which is 484% of the DV. It's also rich in potassium, vitamin E, and the antioxidant lutein, which may benefit eye health .

The elderly; People with alcoholism, smoking, anorexia or cancer; People prone to food allergies; Receiving parenteral nutrition is not supplemented with enough nutrients; Those on restrictive diets secondary to inflammatory bowel disease, gastrointestinal reflux disease, or Whipple's disease; Are taking medications ...

The amount of time Vitamin C remains in your system depends on the factors listed above, but in general, it usually takes between 12 and 24 hours for it to be processed and excreted. This means that if you take a single dose of Vitamin C, its concentration in your body should begin to decline within 12-4 hours.

It also promotes immune health, iron absorption, and may even reduce risk for cardiovascular disease. Consuming vitamin C-rich foods is generally safe, but supplementation may be risky for those taking statins or undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment.

It means that vitamin C is an essential factor for the maintenance of intracellular anti-oxidant network. Based on its anti-oxidant activity, we can suppose that vitamin C is preferentially accumulated in metabolically active organs, such as brain, lung and heart.

You're not overthinking it – it's often to do with how they're absorbed into the body. Vitamin C tablets are the worst offenders when it comes to making people nauseous, or even physically sick, after taking them, says LloydsPharmacy pharmacist, Anshu Kaura. This is because it's quite acidic.

In short, it seems that taking or consuming at least 500 mg of vitamin C daily may reduce the risk of heart disease. However, if you already consume a vitamin-C-rich diet, then supplements may not provide additional heart health benefits. Vitamin C supplements have been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease.