Vitamin C Side Effects

On hearing the name of vitamin C, we normally think about it as the perfect medicine for curing cough and cold. It is true that vitamin C prevents and cures cough and cold and several other diseases, but consuming vitamin C in an amount more than what is required by the body can cause several side effects, which can take up the form of health hazards. According to medical practitioners, the maximum intake of vitamin C per individual should not exceed 60 mg per day. Some people think that the more vitamin C they will consume, the more will be their chances of keeping diseases at bay. It is rather just the contrary. An excess of anything is bad for your health and this is true in the case of vitamin C as well. Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is referred to as ‘miracle worker’, but the same can become harmful, if consumed in excess. If you don’t believe in the above, take a look at some of the side effects of excess vitamin C, given in detailed form.

Adverse Effects Of Excess Vitamin C

Excess vitamin C in the body is flushed out as waste. But even the waste causes harm to the intestines. The resultant gastrointestinal stress may lead to stomach problems such as diarrhea and vomiting.
An excess of vitamin C in the body leads to constant dizziness and nausea. The nausea is accompanied by cramps in the stomach and abdomen region and repeated vomiting.
The increase of vitamin C content in your system leads to the formation of stones in the kidney.
If you consume an excess of ascorbic acid, you will suffer from indigestion and heartburn.
Tiredness of the muscles is one of the chief side effects of excess vitamin C. Though you are tired, it will be difficult for you to get sleep. A person who consumes more vitamin C than what is required by the body suffers from insomnia. No sleep means that the tiredness persists and you feel drowsy.
Excess ascorbic acid leads to redness or flushing of facial skin.
If vitamin C is directly applied to the skin, it may lead to allergies, skin rash and skin irritation.
Consumption of excess vitamin C leads to the formation of more oxidative species in the blood than is required by human body. The excess of 8-oxoadenine and 8-oxoguanine in the blood lymphocyte can damage the white blood cells beyond repair.
While ascorbic acid helps in preventing stomach cancer, an extra dosage may also interfere with the medication of a cancer patient.
The human body starts showing several physiological problems if there is an excess of vitamin C in the system.
A doctor may prescribe high doses of ascorbic acid to a person who shows the lack of vitamin C in his body. In most cases a maximum of 60 mg to 100 mg of ascorbic acid is enough to prevent and cure diseases like cough and cold, skin cell repair and ageing.

Though the side effects of excess vitamin C in the human body are many, they are not very serious and can be immediately stopped if you control your daily dosage of vitamin C. Remember, extra vitamin C does not ensure an increased reduction of diseases.

How to Cite

Related Articles

See also

More in 'Health & Fitness'