Can You Get Too Much Vitamin C?
By Sara Butler
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for your health. It’s found naturally in many vegetables and fruits. Getting enough of it is important to the maintenance of a healthy immune system. It’s also very important in keeping your bones strong, enhancing your brain functions, and healing wounds. Many people take Vitamin C supplements in the winter to help combat cold and flu season, but is this a good idea? Can you have too much Vitamin C?
It’s Not Stored in Your Body
One of the most important things to know about Vitamin C is that it’s water-soluble. That means it readily dissolves in water, so it won’t get stored in your body. The Vitamin C you do take in gets transported through your body by body fluids and then gets excreted in urine.
Since your body can’t store the Vitamin C it gets, that means you have to eat enough daily to meet its needs. This may lead you to believe that too much Vitamin C can’t hurt anything, but the truth is that high amounts of this vitamin can cause some unpleasant side effects.
Digestive Distress
Too much Vitamin C can cause digestive problems. This isn’t necessarily caused by the foods you eat that are high in the vitamin, but the supplements you may take. If you have more than 2,000 milligrams of Vitamin C per day, you can experience:
- Acid reflux
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
If you notice any of these issues after taking a supplement, all you need to do is stop taking them or cut down. If that resolves the issue, then you know that was the cause!
It Can Cause Issues with Iron
Vitamin C is also known to help enhance the absorption of iron. It has the ability to bind with the type of iron found in plant-based foods, which is normally not as efficiently absorbed by your body as the iron found in animal products. If you have conditions that increase the risk of iron accumulating in the body, then you need to be very careful about taking supplements. Iron overload is very uncommon in people who don’t have specific conditions, but it’s still something to be noted!
Vitamin C is good for you, but know the risks so you don't go overboard! Keep it in the healthy zone and make sure to talk to your doctor or chiropractor if you have any questions!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Orlando, Fla.