How much vitamin C is too much?

The recommended daily amount for vitamin C is 75 milligrams (mg) a day for women and 90 mg a day for men. During pregnancy, 120 mg a day are recommended. The upper limit for all adults is 2,000 mg a day.


Is 1000 mg of vitamin C too much?

For adults, the daily upper limit of vitamin C is 2,000 mg. For teens, it's 1,800 mg. For children, the upper limit depends on age, and it ranges from 400 to 1,200 mg per day. In addition, vitamin C is water-soluble, making it hard for your body to store it — with excess being secreted in your urine.

What happens if I take too much vitamin C?

Safety and side effects

Taking too much vitamin C can cause side effects, including: Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Heartburn. Stomach cramps or bloating.


How much vitamin C can your body absorb in a day?

Approximately 70%–90% of vitamin C is absorbed at moderate intakes of 30–180 mg/day. However, at doses above 1 g/day, absorption falls to less than 50% and absorbed, unmetabolized ascorbic acid is excreted in the urine [4].

How long does vitamin C stay in your bloodstream?

The average half life of ascorbic acid in adult human is about 10–20 days, with a turn over of 1 mg/kg body and a body pool of 22 mg/kg at plasma ascorbate concentration of 50 μmol/ L [8,9].


Too much Vitamin C could cause health problems



Which fruit has highest vitamin C?

1. Kakadu plums. The Kakadu plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana) is an Australian native superfood containing 100 times more vitamin C than oranges. It has the highest known concentration of vitamin C, containing up to 2,907 mg per 100 grams.

Do you pee out excess vitamin C?

Vitamin C is water-soluble and not stored in your body

Unlike fat-soluble vitamins, water-soluble vitamins do not get stored in your body. Instead, the vitamin C you consume gets transported to your tissues via body fluids, and any extra gets excreted in your urine ( 1 ).

What vitamins Cannot be taken together?

What vitamins should not be taken together?
  • Magnesium and calcium. ...
  • Iron and green tea. ...
  • Vitamin C and B12. ...
  • Fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins. ...
  • Vitamin D, vitamin K2, and other fat-soluble vitamins. ...
  • Magnesium and vitamin D3. ...
  • Copper and zinc. ...
  • Omega-3s and vitamin E.


Which vitamins can you overdose on?

Any ingredient in a multiple vitamin supplement can be toxic in large amounts, but the most serious risk comes from iron or calcium. Additional risks are associated with large or toxic doses of calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin A.

What does taking 1000mg of vitamin C do?

It has been linked to many impressive health benefits, such as boosting antioxidant levels, lowering blood pressure, protecting against gout attacks, improving iron absorption, boosting immunity, and reducing heart disease and dementia risk.

How long does 1000mg vitamin C last in the body?

Research suggests the average half-life of vitamin C in an adult human body is between 10 and 20 days 1.


How much vitamin C should I take when sick?

The likelihood of success may vary from person to person. Some people improve, while others do not. Taking 1000 to 2000 mg per day can be safely tried by most people.

Which two vitamins pose the greatest risk of toxicity?

Extra amounts of water-soluble vitamins are typically excreted. The fat-soluble vitamins A and D are the most likely to cause toxicity symptoms if you consume them in high amounts.

Can I take 5 different vitamins at once?

You can—but it's probably not a good idea. For some supplements, optimal absorption can depend on the time of day taken. Not only that—taking certain vitamins, minerals, or other supplements together can also reduce absorption and may result in adverse interactions, which can be harmful to your health.


Can you take zinc and vitamin C together?

Vitamin C and zinc each benefit various systems in the body but they both support the immune system and reduce the risk of disease. Taking these two nutrients together gives a joint boost to your immune system.

Can I take vitamin D and C together?

The short and simple answer is: Yes! Vitamins C and D are commonly found together in multivitamins. They have complementary effects, which means that taking them together can better support your health. They're particularly beneficial to the immune system.

What vitamins should be taken at night?

4 Vitamins That Help You Sleep
  • Magnesium. Magnesium is perhaps the most important vitamin or mineral when it comes to sleep. ...
  • Calcium. Calcium has been shown to play a significant role in our sleep cycles, particularly the REM stage of sleep. ...
  • Potassium. ...
  • B Vitamins.


Why can't you take vitamin C and B12 together?

Vitamin C and B12

According to Dr. Airey, some studies have shown that Vitamin C could break down Vitamin B12 in your digestive tract, reducing your B12 absorption. As a result, he says you want to wait at least two hours before taking Vitamin C with your Vitamin B12.

How long does 500mg of vitamin C stay in your system?

Research suggests the average half-life of vitamin C in an adult human body is between 10 and 20 days 1. If you don't continue to top up your vitamin C levels, your body will continue eliminating it, and you may become deficient.

What destroys vitamin C?

Vitamin C can be destroyed by heat and light. High-heat cooking temperatures or prolonged cook times can break down the vitamin. Because it is water-soluble, the vitamin can also seep into cooking liquid and be lost if the liquids are not eaten.


How fast does vitamin C work?

How long does it take vitamin C to work? Vitamin C is a water-soluble nutrient, so it absorbs rapidly. If you want to reduce the intensity of a cold, you should start to notice the effects of your vitamin C supplements within about 24 hours.

Which two Superfoods are very high in vitamin C?

Foods With Vitamin C
  • Cantaloupe. Cantaloupe is a rich source of vitamin C, with 202.6 mg of the vitamin in a medium-sized melon, and 25.3 mg in one slice.
  • Citrus Fruits. Raw citrus fruits are very high in vitamin C. ...
  • Broccoli. ...
  • Red Cabbage. ...
  • Kiwi. ...
  • Bell Peppers.


What is the best form of vitamin C?

Time-release vitamin C is often the preferred choice since vitamin C has better bioavailability when taken in smaller doses throughout the day. A time-release formula aims to solve this problem without taking multiple tablets, by releasing the vitamin C slowly throughout the day.


What drink has the highest vitamin C?

Citrus Juices

Citrus fruits are near the top of the list for vitamin C-rich foods. Eight ounces of fresh-squeezed orange juice has nearly 125 milligrams of vitamin C. Diluted frozen orange juice from concentrate has a little less -- about 95 milligrams per 8-ounce glass.

What is the most poisonous vitamin?

Owing to their ability to accumulate in the body, fat-soluble vitamins have a higher potential for toxicity than do water-soluble vitamins. Iron-containing vitamins are the most toxic, especially in pediatric acute ingestions.