Vitamin C Overdose: Too Much Of A Good Thing
In today's world, good nutrition is on everyone's mind. The supplement industry is booming, and people are very conscious of the importance of eating a well-balanced diet. One key component to good health is getting adequate amounts of nutrients like Vitamin C. It helps us keep well by enhancing our immune system, rebuilds bone and tissue, and even removes harmful substances from the body, such as free radicals. But, like with most things, too much can be bad for you and lead to a vitamin C overdose.
Symptoms
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration puts the recommended dose of vitamin C between 60 to 95mg per day. Amounts in excess of 5 grams (500mg) are considered to be in the overdose range. Most excess vitamin C is excreted in the urine, and while it won't kill you, continuous overdosing on vitamin C can cause several problems.
The most common symptoms of a vitamin C overdose are diarrhea, upset stomach, and vomiting. It can also lead to abdominal pain, and it is thought to cause kidney or bladder stones, although there isn't enough evidence to support this.
Continuous overdosing on vitamin C has also been known to cause jaundice. Jaundice is a condition in which the sclera and conjunctiva of the eye, skin, and mucous membranes turn yellow due to too much bilirubin in the blood.
In one study, during which test subjects were given doses of 6 grams daily over 1400 days, it was found that subjects experienced vitamin C overdose in the form of fever, headache and facial flushing. Other symptoms noted were sleep disturbances and fatigue. Some test subjects even developed a skin rash in reaction to the high dose of vitamin C.
Another problem that can arise as a result of a vitamin C overdose is iron poisoning. This is because vitamin C increases the absorption rate of certain nutrients, such as iron and calcium. Frequently taking a high dosage of vitamin C can dangerously increase the amount of iron present in the body.
Treatment
A person suffering from a vitamin C overdose may not exhibit all of the symptoms mentioned. If you are worried that you could have overdosed on vitamin C, cut back on the amount you are taking. This is the obvious treatment for a vitamin C overdose, as being water-soluble, vitamin C is excreted from the body within 12 hours, so any symptoms experienced will lessen and cease as the nutrient leaves the system. Keep in mind, however, that all of the symptoms associated with an overdose are also associated with other medical issues as well. If you do experience any of these symptoms, seek a doctor's advice, as there could be more going on than a simple overdose on vitamin C.
