How much vitamin C should I take a day?

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For adults, the recommended daily amount for vitamin C is 65 to 90 milligrams (mg) a day, and the upper limit is 2,000 mg a day. Although too much dietary vitamin C is unlikely to be harmful, megadoses of vitamin C supplements might cause: Diarrhea.



Also, should I take vitamin C daily?

For most people, taking vitamin C supplements in the recommended amounts is also safe. The RDA or recommended daily allowance is 90 mg for men and 75 mg for women. High doses of vitamin C (greater than 2000 milligrams per day for adults) may cause kidney stones, nausea, and diarrhea.

Also Know, is 1000mg of Vitamin C Safe? Vitamin C is water-soluble, so any excess is usually excreted in the urine rather than stored in the body. It's safe in almost any amount from foods, and supplements in recommended amounts are also regarded as safe for most people. Try reducing your vitamin C intake by 500 mg each week until you reach 1,000 mg a day.

Keeping this in consideration, how much vitamin C can the body absorb at one time?

While small doses (under 200 mg) are completely absorbed, only a fraction of a single large dose of ascorbic acid can be absorbed at one time (500 mg or more). Spacing the doses out will increase the overall absorption. You can take vitamin C every few hours, but it becomes a difficult practice to keep up.

Is 1000 mg vitamin C too much?

Very high doses of vitamin C are known to cause gastric discomfort and diarrhea, and this is the basis for the current upper tolerable daily intake limit of 2,000 mg for adults. More limited, but concerning, evidence suggests problems with daily doses of just 500 to 1,000 mg of vitamin C.

39 Related Question Answers Found

Can vitamin C help you lose weight?

Vitamin C assists with weight loss
Individuals with adequate vitamin C status oxidize 30% more fat during a moderate exercise bout than individuals with low vitamin C status; thus, vitamin C depleted individuals may be more resistant to fat mass loss.

Does vitamin C give you energy?

Vitamin C quickly provides energy to your body. Additional benefits are: faster healing and prevention of cancers.

How long does it take for vitamin C to work?

In adults, the treatment is 300 to 1000 mg daily for one month. Symptoms should start to improve within 24 to 48 hours. You should be fully better within 7 days. For Lower doses may be enough for vitamin C deficiency with no symptoms.

Which form of vitamin C is best?

Which Form of Vitamin C is Best?
  • Ascorbic acid. Available in natural or synthetic form, as chewable tablets, capsules, liquids and powders.
  • Buffered vitamin C. Consists of mineral salts of ascorbic acid.
  • Vitamin C with bioflavonoids. Bioflavonoids are plant compounds that function as antioxidants.
  • Topical vitamin C.

Is it safe to take 500mg of vitamin C daily?


For adults, the recommended daily amount for vitamin C is 65 to 90 milligrams (mg) a day, and the upper limit is 2,000 mg a day. Although too much dietary vitamin C is unlikely to be harmful, megadoses of vitamin C supplements might cause: Diarrhea. Nausea.

What does vitamin C do for the body?

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble nutrient found in some foods. In the body, it acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are compounds formed when our bodies convert the food we eat into energy.

What is the best time to take vitamin C?

Best time to take water-soluble vitamins
That means taking them first thing in the morning, 30 minutes prior to eating, or two hours after a meal. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water so your body can use them. Vitamin C, all B vitamins, and folate (folic acid) are water soluble.

Does vitamin C help skin?

As far as your skin is concerned, vitamin C is "a potent antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals," explains board-certified dermatologist Patricia Wexler. "Because of its antioxidant properties, vitamin C aids in your skin's natural regeneration process, which helps your body repair damaged skin cells."

Does baking soda destroy vitamin C?

Turns out cooking food with baking soda (a.k.a. sodium bicarbonate) can indeed damage a number of nutrients, such as vitamin C, vitamin D, riboflavin, thiamin, and one essential amino acid. Yet it doesn't hurt others, including vitamin A, vitamin B12, niacin, and folic acid.

How long does 1000mg of vitamin C stay in system?


As a water-soluble vitamin, vitamin C does not remain in your body very long. In most cases, this essential nutrient is excreted within 24 hours, but the amount of time vitamin C stays in your system depends on your individual circumstances and medical history.

How long does it take for vitamin D to work?

For this reason, it's recommended to take vitamin D supplements with a meal to enhance absorption. According to one study in 17 people, taking vitamin D with the largest meal of the day increased vitamin D blood levels by about 50% after just 2–3 months ( 7 ).

Can you overdose on Vit C?

Side effects from too much vitamin C are very rare. This is because the body cannot store the vitamin. Studies have shown, however, that vitamin C amounts greater than 2,000 mg/day can lead to nausea and diarrhea. If you suspect an overdose, you should contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

What is considered a megadose of vitamin C?

Vitamin C megadosage is a term describing the consumption or injection of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in doses well beyond the current Recommended Dietary Allowance of 90 mg/day, and often well beyond the Tolerable upper intake level of 2,000 mg/day.

What does Vitamin C 1000 mg do?

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is necessary for the growth, development and repair of all body tissues. It's involved in many body functions, including formation of collagen, absorption of iron, the immune system, wound healing, and the maintenance of cartilage, bones, and teeth.

How much vitamins is too much?


Dwyer says vitamin D, calcium, and folic acid are three nutrients you may get too much of, especially through supplements. Adults who regularly far exceed the 4,000 international units (IUs) daily safe upper limit for vitamin D might may end up with serious heart problems.

What are the disadvantages of vitamin C?

In some people, vitamin C might cause nausea, vomiting, heartburn, stomach cramps, headache, and other side effects. The chance of getting these side effects increases the more vitamin C you take.

Do vitamin C pills work?

Does Vitamin C Have Any Effect on the Common Cold? Around 1970, Nobel prize winner Linus Pauling popularized the theory that vitamin C helps treat colds. However, regular vitamin C supplements had several benefits, including: Reduced cold severity: They reduced the symptoms of a cold, making it less severe.