It’s essential for tissue growth, development, and repair.
As an antioxidant, it may help protect cells from free radicalsunstable molecules that damage cells.
However, its benefits for specific diseases and conditions remain unproven.
Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak
That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says.
What Is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C, orL-ascorbicacid, is an essential nutrient.
Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak
Research shows vitamin C has many general health benefits.
However, the science is inconclusive on using vitamin C to treat or prevent specific health conditions.
No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Vitamin C has been marketed for use to treat and/or prevent many conditions, from thecommon coldandCOVID-19toarthritisandAlzheimer’s disease.
The most beneficial aspect may be itsantioxidantactivity.
Get Medical Advice
Supplement use should be tailored to your specific health issues and needs.
Before starting a supplement, talk to a qualified healthcare provider, such as a Registered Dietitian or pharmacist.
It does this by neutralizingfree radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage cells and cause disease.
When you have a lot of free radicals in your system, it can cause a condition calledoxidative stress.
Free radicals come in many types; some are harder for antioxidants to scavenge.
What Causes Free Radicals?
This can lead tocoronary artery disease.
One promising bit of information came out in a 2020 study.
However, the results have yielded inconsistent results.
However, it’s important to remember that no one food will prevent cancer.
Moreover, vitamin C supplements themselves do not appear to prevent cancer.
Eating a well-balanced diet in general, including antioxidants, is beneficial for your overall health.
Future studies are needed to establish the role of antioxidants like vitamin C in cancer.
Talk to your oncologist before starting anysupplements during cancer treatment.
The crystals then cause inflammation, which leads to painful attacks.
Several studies have shown that vitamin C can prevent gout by lowering levels of uric acid in the blood.
This may, at least in part, be due to its antioxidant activity.
Uric acid levels appear to be higher in people with significant oxidative stress.
Vitamin C is known to help your body absorb some nutrients.
Among healthcare providers, that led to a long-standing practice of recommending vitamin C supplements withiron supplementsfor treating anemia.
Boosts Immunity and Speeds Healing
Vitamin C’s best-known use is for boosting the immune system.
What Is Collagen?
Collagen is a protein in your body that makes tissues strong, resilient, and able to tolerate stretching.
It’s in skin, bones, muscles, tendons, and cartilage.
Research has provided mixed evidence about vitamin C for treating or preventing these respiratory infections.
More research needs to be done before researchers can draw any firm conclusions.
Research on whether vitamin C and other antioxidants can prevent AMD has been inconclusive.
But some research suggests it may slow it down.
Protects Brain Health
Vitamin C’s antioxidant activity may play a role inbrainhealth.
However, this work is preliminary, and more research is needed.
Vitamin C Deficiency
Vitamin C deficiencyis rare in developed countries.
In the United States, only about 8.4% of the population is believed to be vitamin C deficient.
In severe cases, this can lead toscurvy(which is rare in the U.S.).
Symptoms of scurvy include:
Vitamin C deficiency is treated with vitamin C supplements.
Some symptoms improve within the first 24 hours of treatment.
Others may take a few weeks or months to resolve.
What Causes a Vitamin C Deficiency?
A deficiency occurs either from insufficient nutrient intake in the diet or increased losses due to poor absorption.
Smokers have a higher requirement for vitamin C, so smoking may also be a risk factor.
What Are the Side Effects of Vitamin C?
Vitamin C is generally considered safe, but high doses can cause side effects.
These may include:
Higher doses are more likely to lead to side effects.
Doses over 2,000 milligrams a day may increase the risk of diarrhea and kidney stones.
Precautions
Vitamin C supplements are not right for everyone.
For most healthy people, it is easy to get adequate amounts ofvitamin C through food.
Your body controls how much vitamin C it absorbs.
Taking 1,000 milligrams a day or more actually drops your absorption rate by about 50%.
Doses beyond that are more likely to cause side effects.
Interactions
If you take estrogen orestrogen-based contraceptives, vitamin C may increase the risk ofhormonal side effects.
This is because vitamin C may slow the rate at whichestrogenleaves your body.
Multiple vitamin C supplement formulations are readily available.
you’re free to buy them from most stores and websites that sell nutritional supplements.
Fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits, are good sources.
Vitamin C Supplements
Vitamin C supplements are available as a single nutrient supplement or combination supplement.
Remember to look at the dosages and avoid exceeding the TUL.
Also, pay attention to units of measure.
Dietary supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA.
Summary
Vitamin C supplements have been marketed for many conditions.
Ultimately, it’s the best treatment for vitamin C deficiency.
It is best to get vitamin C from your food.
But if you don’t, a supplement can help you meet your goals.
Talk to your healthcare provider before taking supplements.
The right dosage depends on several factors, including age and medical conditions.
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