Vitamin c can you overdose

Learn about them…. What happens when you take too much vitamin C? Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M. Symptoms How much is too much? Severe side effects Recommended dosage Vitamin C and pregnancy Summary Vitamin C is usually safe to take even at high dosages. Symptoms of taking too much vitamin C. Share on Pinterest It is usually safe to frequently eat foods high in vitamin C.

How much vitamin C is too much? Severe side effects. Share on Pinterest Kidney stones are a possible consequence of too much vitamin C supplementation. How much vitamin C should I take? Vitamin C and pregnancy. Share on Pinterest A pregnant woman may wish to take a vitamin C supplement if they have trouble getting enough from their diet.

Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals. Costs associated with obesity may account for 3. Related Coverage. Are you getting enough vitamin D?

Vitamin C binds with non-heme iron, making it much easier for your body to absorb. This is an important function, especially for individuals who get most of their iron from plant-based foods 7. However, individuals with conditions that increase the risk of iron accumulation in the body, such as hemochromatosis, should be cautious with vitamin C supplements.

Under these circumstances, taking vitamin C in excess may lead to iron overload, which can cause serious damage to your heart, liver, pancreas, thyroid, and central nervous system 9 , 10 , Additionally, iron overload is more likely to occur when excess iron is consumed in supplement form. Since vitamin C increases iron absorption, consuming too much of it is a concern for individuals with conditions that lead to iron accumulation in the body.

Oxalate typically exits the body via urine. However, under some circumstances, oxalate may bind to minerals and form crystals that can lead to the formation of kidney stones Consuming too much vitamin C has the potential to increase the amount of oxalate in your urine, thus increasing the risk of developing kidney stones High vitamin C intake is not only associated with greater amounts of urinary oxalate but also linked to the development of kidney stones , especially if you consume amounts greater than 2, mg 6 , Reports of kidney failure have also been reported in people who have taken more than 2, mg in a day.

However, this is extremely rare, especially in healthy people Consuming too much vitamin C may increase the amount of oxalate in your kidneys, which has the potential to lead to kidney stones. In fact, it is nearly impossible for you to get too much vitamin C from your diet alone. In healthy people, any extra vitamin C consumed above the recommended daily amount simply gets flushed out of the body To put it in perspective, you would need to consume 29 oranges or 13 bell peppers before your intake reached the tolerable upper limit 17 , However, the risks of vitamin C overdose are higher when people take supplements, and it is possible to consume too much of the vitamin in some circumstances.

Also called ascorbic acid, vitamin C is one of the many water-soluble nutrients found naturally in fruits and vegetables. This has raised concerns over the likelihood of an accidental overdose.

Too much vitamin C can cause undesirable effects. However, a severe overdose is rare and unlikely. The key is to learn how much vitamin C you really need. Vitamin C is a type of antioxidant. It helps protect the body from free radicals that damage and destroy otherwise healthy cells. This is how it gained its reputation as a virus-fighting vitamin.

It also helps increase iron absorption, which is essential for growth and overall body functions. Not having enough vitamin C can lead to a potentially deadly condition known as scurvy. Oranges and orange juices are perhaps the best-known sources of vitamin C, but other items in the produce aisle are chock-full, including:.

In fact, just one serving of any of the above foods likely will get you to your daily quota. According to the National Institutes of Health , the average adult woman requires 70mg of vitamin C a day.

The average man requires 90mg. Which is great since there are so many incredible health benefits that Vitamin C does for our bodies. But sometimes people go a little overboard and start consuming too much Vitamin C. In fact, you can actually overdose on Vitamin C. To learn more about Vitamin C toxicity, keep reading. We all know we need to take Vitamin C in some form every single day to stay as healthy as possible. Generally speaking, any male 19 years or older should take 90 mg of Vitamin C per day.

The side effects typically occur in those people taking the vitamin in supplement form. There are actually quite a few side effects related to excessive Vitamin C consumption.

Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, heartburn, and esophagitis. You may also notice stomach cramps, diarrhea or intestinal obstruction. However, you can also experience symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, feeling sleepy or insomnia. Flushed skin is also a symptom.