What Is The Recommended Daily Dose For Vitamin C

Current Nhs Guidelines Rely On A Wwii Study From When Food Was In Short Supply

Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile

The recommended dose of vitamin C should be doubled, according to a recent study.

Scientists behind the claim have described the methods behind the 1944 study that continues to inform current day levels as shocking.

At present, the NHS and World Health Organisation recommend a daily intake of the vitamin of 40mg and 45mg respectively.

However, academics behind a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition have said that the research conducted by The Sorby Research Institute was to assess the nutrition levels of Britons during World War II when food was in short supply.

At this time, the aim was to avoid scurvy, rather than maximising health, they claim.

Vitamin C Supplement Top Sellers On Amazon

Shopping for a vitamin C supplement? Here are five best-selling options on Amazon.

Before Taking This Medicine

You should not use ascorbic acid if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a vitamin C supplement.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist about using ascorbic acid if you have:

• kidney disease or a history of kidney stones

• hereditary iron overload disorder or

• if you smoke .

Your dose needs may be different during pregnancy or while you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not use ascorbic acid without your doctor’s advice in either case.

Read Also: Do Vitamin D Gummies Work

Upper Level Of Intake Vitamin C

It is not possible to establish a UL for vitamin C, but 1,000 mg/day is a prudent limit.

Rationale: It is not possible to establish with any certainty a UL for supplementary vitamin C, as data are too inconclusive. However, expert bodies have suggested that intakes of no more than 1,000 mg/day for adults would be prudent .

The UK Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals has suggested a guidance level of 1,000 mg based on a LOAEL of 3,000-4,000 mg/day from the study of Cameron & Campbell , applying an UF of 3 to extrapolate to a NOAEL of 1,000 mg/day. The US Food and Nutrition Board used the same data but applied an UF of only 1.5 to give a NOAEL of 2,000 mg which it adopted as the Tolerable Upper Intake for adults ranging down to 400 mg in children aged 1-3 years.

Vitamin C can also enhance non-haem iron absorption and thus may increase iron-induced tissue damage in individuals with haemochromatosis . Haemochromatosis is a condition of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency that occurs in about 1 in 300 people of northern European descent . However, the possibility of such adverse effects in this group has not been systematically examined.

What Happens If I Take Too Much Vitamin D

Taking too many vitamin D supplements over a long period of time can cause too much calcium to build up in the body . This can weaken the bones and damage the kidneys and the heart.

If you choose to take vitamin D supplements, 10 micrograms a day will be enough for most people.

Do not take more than 100 micrograms of vitamin D a day as it could be harmful. This applies to adults, including pregnant and breastfeeding women and the elderly, and children aged 11 to 17 years.

Children aged 1 to 10 years should not have more than 50 micrograms a day. Infants under 12 months should not have more than 25 micrograms a day.

Some people have medical conditions that mean they may not be able to safely take as much. If in doubt, you should consult your doctor.

If your doctor has recommended you take a different amount of vitamin D, you should follow their advice.

You cannot overdose on vitamin D through exposure to sunlight. But always remember to cover up or protect your skin if you’re out in the sun for long periods to reduce the risk of skin damage and skin cancer.

Page last reviewed: 03 August 2020 Next review due: 03 August 2023

Don’t Miss: Can You Take Vitamins While On Chemotherapy

Can You Take Too Much Vitamin C

The tolerable upper intake for adults is 2 grams of Vitamin C consuming more than that can result in diarrhea and other unpleasant GI disturbances, says Greaves. She admits that severe side effects from too much ascorbic acid are very rare, but you may experience some discomfort if you take too much. Its pretty much impossible to have a vitamin C overdose, but lets not test that out.

The real problem with taking more vitamin C than you need is that it all goes to waste. Up to 100 mg a day of vitamin C will get almost completely absorbed, says Francesco-Maria Serino, MD, PhD. Above 100 mg a day and the fraction of vitamin C absorbed is progressively smaller. If you take more than 1 gram of vitamin C per day, less than 50% is actually absorbed and its eliminated by the kidneys.

That literally means that a 500 mg vitamin C supplement mostly gets peed down the drain.

The Recommended Dietary Allowance

The recommended dietary allowance for vitamin C is based on the amount of vitamin C intake necessary to maintain neutrophil vitamin C concentration with minimal urinary excretion of vitamin C and is proposed to provide sufficient antioxidant protection . The recommended intake for smokers is 35 mg/day higher than for nonsmokers, because smokers are under increased oxidative stress from the toxins in cigarette smoke and generally have lower blood concentrations of vitamin C .

Don’t Miss: What Prenatal Vitamins Do Doctors Recommend

Foods High In Vitamin C

Vitamin C occurs naturally in a whole host of fruits and vegetables. Some delicious, whole foods that give me natural vitamin C benefits are:

• Citrus fruits are a great source of vitamin C. These include oranges, grapefruit, guava, kiwi, lemons, lime, pineapple, and more.
• Papaya

All the recipes on my blog have the nutrition facts below the recipe, so just scroll on down the post to check out how much vitamin C is in any recipe you want to blend.

The Best Molds For Homemade Gummy Vitamins

Part of the fun and appeal of these gummies is the gummy bear shape! I found this silicone gummy bear mold and it works perfectly. The set comes with three gummy bear trays, and three eyedroppers so that filling is easy. This recipe will fill all three trays exactly so it’s the perfect size. Note: you can purchase the molds here.

Also Check: When To Take Calcium And Vitamin D

Best Natural Ingredients For Your Skin

Vitamin C serums can be topically applied to the skin and may provide benefits such as protection against damage caused by UV exposure, including collagen damage and wrinkling. And while its no replacement for sunscreen, a vitamin C serum routinely applied before sun exposure may help prevent premature aging of the skin. It may also help protect against pigmentation issues by interfering with melanin synthesis. Youll see many options of vitamin C serums including ones with additional ingredients, such as vitamin E or hyaluronic acid.

Recommended Doses And Timing For Vitamin C

The recommended daily intake of vitamin C for adults is 75 mg for women and 90 mg for men, person who smokes and those indulged in rigorous training requires higher amount of vitamin C because of increased production of free radical.

Doses of 200 mg vitamin C taken two times in a day have been found effective in reducing damage caused by free radical during exercise. This is a recommended dose of vitamin C and it can be taken with food.

Don’t Miss: Where Are Cvs Vitamins Manufactured

Vitamin C Side Effects And Interactions

Calcium ascorbate is considered safe and effective for adults in the recommended dosage, and is listed as a Generally Recognized As Safe substance.

However, Calcium Ascorbate can cause mild side effects, including upset stomach, nausea, loss of appetite, and constipation.

Avoid Vitamin C if you suffer from a metabolic deficiency known as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. High doses of vitamin C can cause hemolysis in people with this disorder.

Long-term use of Calcium ascorbate may cause kidney stones in individuals with kidney problems or with a history of kidney stones. If you suffer from any kidney problems, have high calcium levels, or have any allergic reactions, avoid taking this product.

Furthermore, avoid use if you have a blood iron condition such as thalassemia or hemochromatosis. Vitamin C enhances iron absorption and may worsen these conditions.

Vitamin C and other antioxidants may interfere with chemotherapy drugs. Consult your doctor before taking this product.

In terms of interactions, the calcium in this supplement may inhibit the absorption of certain drugs. Some of these medications include antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, thyroid medications , and bisphosphonates . To stay on the safe side, consult your doctor or pharmacist before trying Calcium ascorbate.

Finally, there isnt enough information regarding the use of Calcium ascorbate during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and should therefore be avoided.

What Is The Evidence That Vitamin C Acts As An Antioxidant In Humans

The most conclusive evidence that vitamin C acts as an antioxidant in humans has come from supplementation studies using specific biomarkers of oxidative damage to lipids, DNA, and proteins. Because these specific oxidative biomarkers have only recently been developed and continue to be evaluated, only relatively few studies have investigated the effects on these biomarkers of supplementation with antioxidant micronutrients, including vitamin C.

Lipid oxidation

Numerous studies in humans have investigated the effects on the oxidizability of LDL of vitamin C supplementation in combination with vitamin E or -carotene or both . Studies have been carried out in smokers , nonsmokers , and persons with hypercholesterolemia or cardiovascular disease . In all cases, a significant reduction in LDL oxidizability was observed. It is, however, difficult to determine the relative contribution of vitamin C in these studies because of the presence of the cosupplements, of which vitamin E appears to be the major contributor to protection of LDL. This is because vita-min E is the most abundant lipid-soluble antioxidant associated with LDL .

DNA oxidation

Protein oxidation

Read Also: What Vitamins To Take For Memory

What Are The Recommended Dietary Allowances For Vitamin C

• WhatsApp

Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits and vegetables. An antioxidant and reducing agent, its controversial uses include treatment of upper respiratory tract infections and cancer. Supplements are usually 100-2000 mg per capsule.

The RDAs for vitamin C are as follows :

• Adult males – 90 mg

• Adult females – 75 mg

• Pregnancy – 85 mg

• Lactation – 120 mg

What Dosage Of Vitamin C Is Too Much Anyway

According to the National Institutes of Health, vitamin C has low toxicity and its rather unusual to cause serious adverse effects. Even at high intakes. The maximum dosage of vitamin C for adults is 2,000 mg daily.

Better consult your doctor before taking any supplements. Especially if youre taking other medication. Vitamin C supplements may interact with other drugs.

Also Check: What Is A Normal Vitamin D Level For A Woman

Recommended Sodium Intake For Older Adults

Sodium is another important mineral. In most Americans diets, sodium primarily comes from salt . Whenever you add salt to your food, you’re adding sodium. But the Dietary Guidelines shows that most of the sodium we eat doesnt come from our saltshakers its added to many foods during processing or preparation. We all need some sodium, but too much over time can lead to high blood pressure, which can raise your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

How much sodium is okay? People 51 and older should reduce their sodium intake to 2,300 mg each day. That is about one teaspoon of salt and includes sodium added during manufacturing or cooking as well as at the table when eating. If you have high blood pressure or prehypertension, limiting sodium intake to 1,500 mg per day, about 2/3 teaspoon of salt, may be helpful. Preparing your own meals at home without using a lot of processed foods or salt will allow you to control how much sodium you get. Try using less salt when cooking, and dont add salt before you take the first bite. If you make this change slowly, you will get used to the difference in taste. Also look for grocery products marked low sodium, unsalted, no salt added, sodium free, or salt free. Also check the Nutrition Facts Label to see how much sodium is in a serving.

What To Look For

Not all vitamin C supplements are created equal. To better ensure quality and safety, choose supplements that have been tested and certified by an independent certifying body, such as the U.S. Pharmacopeia, ConsumerLab, or NSF International.

Also, be aware that there are different types of vitamin C, including L-ascorbic acid and others that combine ascorbic acid with minerals , citrus bioflavonoids, or rose hips. None is considered better or more effective than the other for dietary use.

If anything, you can save money by choosing a “plain” L-ascorbic acid supplement and avoiding all of the other non-essential add-ins. The best way to get vitamin D is from foods that contain it.

Recommended Reading: What Is 10 Micrograms Of Vitamin D

Impair The Effectiveness Of Niacin

Evidence suggests that taking vitamin C supplements may impair the bodys ability to increase high density lipoprotein cholesterol in people taking the combination drug niacin-simvastatin. This drug combines the vitamin niacin with the statin simvastatin , and people take it to treat high cholesterol.

Doctors consider HDL cholesterol the good cholesterol because it reduces the amount of harmful cholesterol in the blood.

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.

A persons body cannot make vitamin C, so people need to eat enough foods that contain vitamin C to meet their daily needs. If someone is at risk of a vitamin C deficiency, they can take vitamin C supplements.

The advise aiming for the following RDA of vitamin C each day:

People who smoke should take 35 mg more vitamin C per day than those who do not smoke.

During pregnancy or when breastfeeding, women should get the following levels of vitamin C per day:

• 1418 years: 80 mg during pregnancy and 115 mg when breastfeeding
• 19 years and older: 85 mg during pregnancy and 120 mg when breastfeeding

There is not enough research to suggest an RDA for vitamin C in those younger than 1 year of age. As a result, the ODS provide an adequate intake, which is the amount that is likely to be sufficient:

• broccoli

Side Effects Of Vitamin C Supplementation

Many studies have shown no significant adverse health effects to humans, from vitamin C supplementation. People who may experience some discomfort, are those who have:

• a history of kidney stone formation,
• iron overload,
• taken other drugs, as well.

Side effects may be diarrhea, gastrointestinal disturbances due to the osmotic effect of unabsorbed vitamin C, or mild nausea.

You May Like: How Can I Test My Vitamin D Levels

Daily Value Vs % Daily Value

First, lets look at how Daily Value and Percent Daily Value work together. DVs are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume or not to exceed each day. The %DV is how much a nutrient in a single serving of an individual packaged food or dietary supplement contributes to your daily diet. For example, if the DV for a certain nutrient is 300 micrograms and a packaged food or supplement has 30 mcg in one serving, the %DV for that nutrient in a serving of the product would be 10%. If you ate one serving of the product, you would have met 10% of your need for that nutrient in a day and could consume other foods or supplements to get the other 90%.

Bone And Muscle Health

Because it plays a crucial role in the production of the structural protein collagen, vitamin C is an important nutrient for your bones.

What’s more, an August 2020 study in The Journal of Nutrition looked at data from over 13,000 older adults and found a link between low vitamin C levels and lower skeletal muscle mass as we age, suggesting that C can help preserve muscle mass.

Recommended Reading: Are Organic Vitamins Better For You

What Is Vitamin D And Why Is It Important

Vitamin D belongs to the family of fat-soluble vitamins, which include vitamins A, D, E and K. These vitamins are absorbed well with fat and are stored in the liver and fatty tissues.

There are two main forms of vitamin D in the diet:

• Vitamin D2 : Found in plant foods like mushrooms.
• Vitamin D3 : Found in animal foods like salmon, cod and egg yolks.

However, sunlight is the best natural source of vitamin D3. The UV rays from sunlight convert cholesterol in your skin into vitamin D3 .

Before your body can use dietary vitamin D, it must be activated through a series of steps .

First, the liver converts dietary vitamin D into the storage form of vitamin D. This is the form that is measured in blood tests. Later, the storage form is converted by the kidneys to the active form of vitamin D thats used by the body .

Interestingly, D3 is twice as effective at raising blood levels of vitamin D as vitamin D2 .

The main role of vitamin D in the body is to manage blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. These minerals are important for healthy bones .

Research also shows that vitamin D aids your immune system and may reduce your risk of heart disease and certain cancers .

A low blood level of vitamin D is linked to a greater risk of fractures and falls, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, several cancers and even death (

16 ).

For instance, an analysis of five studies examined the link between vitamin D blood levels and colorectal cancer .