Sunday, March 3, 2013

What are the effects of taking a lot of vitamin c supplements?

Q. I have these jars with 150 tabs of vitamin c, 500mg each. I take several at a time throughout the day because it makes me feel really good and happy and tastes really good. It's like a drug to me. Is taking extreme amounts of vitamin c supplements bad for you?

A. Yes potentially.
I would seriously advise against doing so.
As a maintenance dose then 250-500mg is really a maximum ideal to aim for.
If you have a cold or flu then that can be increased temporarily to 1000mg but should be reduced back down to a maintenance dose after recovery.

Though vitamin C is not stored, in high doses it is not without its potential problems, which may include: gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), bleeding gums, decreased wound-healing, easy bruising, nosebleeds, weakened tooth enamel, swollen and painful joints, anaemia**, a decreased ability to fight an infection, a slowing of the metabolism that may lead to weight gain, rough, dry, scaly skin and/ or splitting hair.
[from ref: Medline Plus, link: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002404.htm ]

** regarding anaemia however, if one was to supplement with iron, one may have the opposite scenario.....i.e. too much iron stored, which could be a problem, particularly in anyone with haemochromatosis [an iron storage disease] or with a genetic tendency towards it [i.e. it was in the family].

There is also a risk of kidney stone formation in those with a tendency.

So basically, toxic levels of vitamin C in the blood over time [that may occur from taking mega doses regularly] could lead to symptoms ordinarily characteristic of a vitamin C deficiency. Such symptoms may also become apparent [even if you did not have these symptoms when taking high doses] if you were to stop taking it suddenly.

Wean yourself off the high doses in stages so you don't display scurvy symptoms. And after this, take no more than 250-500mg a day as a maintenance dose.

Be safe, be well....insha'Allah.
Best wishes.


Does sudden yellow teeth indicate a particular vitamin deficiency?
Q. I've been an orange juice junkie my whole life, but I've been without it for a month now and just noticed my bottom teeth are definitely more yellow than before. I'm wondering if the two could be related. Is this a sign of a Vitamin C or some other vitamin deficiency?

A. This is from http://en.allexperts.com/q/Dentistry-966/toddlers-teeth-turning-yellow.htm

says: The yellow color is probably a surface stain. It is certainly not from a nutritional or vitamin deficiency, nor is it a symptom of an illness.


What are the symptoms of vitamin C deficiency?
Q. Can ones diet prevent such symptoms? If yes, how so? If no, why not?

A. A lack of vitamin C leads eventually to scurvy. The symptoms are mainly due to poorly formed collagen (the protein which forms the basis of connective tissue) and include the breaking open of small blood vessels, the reddening and soreness of mouth and gum, bleeding of gums, bleeding in the eyes, loss of hair, loose teeth, cavity in the teeth, joint pains, pain in the bones, dry scaly skin and blood vessel damage which result in "pinpoint hemorrhages (bleeding) into the skin around the hair follicles. Other symptoms include general weakness, fluid retention (edema), depression, and anemia.

Vitamin C deficiency can lead to slower wound healing, increased susceptibility to infections (especially colds and bronchial infections), male infertility and increased genetic damage to sperm cells which may lead to birth defects. It may also contribute to rheumatoid arthritis and gastrointestinal disorders.

Other symptoms include lack of energy, irritability, listlessness, swollen and tender joints, loss of appetite, weakness, fatigue, restlessness, poor digestion, and the tendency to bruise easily.

Ones diet can prevent such symptoms if one includes in ones diet citrus fruits and juices, pineapples, cantaloupe, green peppers, broccoli brussels sprouts, tomatoes, cabbage, green leafy vegetables, potatoes, yams, cauliflower and asparagus.


Any studies on taking tons of vitamin C? How much of it can the body use and what happens to the rest?
Q. Have there been any well documented studies with the use of Vitamin C within the human body?
is there a limit to how much is useful to take, and what does the body do with the rest? Details please , can anyone explain, thanks

A. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a non-fat soluble vitamin. It is therefore, non-toxic. In other words, excess amounts simply get flushed out of your body. The correct dosage, per day, depends on age and weight factors, and also whether you smoke or not. Refer to this chart:

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminC/

It is best not to overdo Vitamin C, as a continuous use of large doses can result in a condition known as "rebound scurvy" once Vitamin C is stopped. Loose teeth, bleeding gums, and other symptoms of regular scurvy caused by Vitamin C deficiency are the results of excessive dosage for long periods. Diarrhea, heartburn and other GI maladies are common with large doses of C.





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