Uses, doses and side effects of Vitamin C

Vitamin C deficiency can lead to a number of characteristic diseases such as anemia, easy bleeding gums, easy bruising and slow wound healing. So what is vitamin C and what role does it play in the body?

Severe vitamin C deficiency can lead to a disease characterized by anemia, gums that bleed easily, bruise easily, and slow wound healing. Especially in people with gastrointestinal problems and cancer, vitamin C deficiency reduces iron absorption from the digestive tract. Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) is a vitamin that the body needs to form blood vessels, cartilage, muscle, and collagen in bones. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells against the effects of free radicals. These are molecules produced when the body breaks down food or is exposed to cigarette smoke and radiation. Free radicals play a role in the cause of heart disease, cancer and other diseases. In addition, vitamin C also helps the body absorb and store iron.
Because the body cannot produce vitamin C on its own, you need to get enough vitamin C through your diet from citrus fruits, berries, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, corn Brussels sprouts, broccoli and spinach. Additionally, vitamin C is also available as capsules and chewable tablets.

Slow wound healing When you are injured, the amount of vitamin C in your blood and tissues decreases. Your body needs vitamin C to make collagen, which is a protein that plays a role in all stages of skin healing. Besides, vitamin C helps neutrophils fight infection from the wound site.
Bleeding gums, nosebleeds, bruises Due to vitamin C helps keep blood vessels healthy, forming blood clots to prevent bleeding. Besides, collagen is also essential for healthy teeth and gums.
Weight gain Many studies have found a link between low vitamin C intake and higher body fat, especially belly fat, because this vitamin plays a role in helping the body burn fat. to release energy.
Dry and Wrinkled Skin People with a healthy diet rich in vitamin C can have smoother and softer skin. Because vitamin C is an antioxidant, it helps protect the skin from free radicals. Free radicals break down oils, proteins and even DNA, so a lack of vitamin C results in dry and wrinkled skin.
Other symptoms Fatigue and irritability Disease susceptibility (immunodeficiency) Vision loss due to macular degeneration.

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) maximum daily intakes of vitamin C for each age group including those obtained from foods, medications and supplements are as follows:

Smokers need 35mg more vitamin C/day than non-smokers.
Most people can safely take high vitamin C pills or supplements. However, the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) recommendation of vitamin C for each age group is as follows:

Based on the guidelines of Recommended Intake and the maximum acceptable limit, parents need to adhere to the use of vitamin C for babies as prescribed by the doctor.

When taken in appropriate doses, oral vitamin C supplements are safe for the body, but if taken in excess, it often leads to the following side effects:
Nausea Vomiting Heartburn Esophagitis Intestinal Obstruction stomach cramps Fatigue Headache Drowsiness Diarrhea Insomnia Increased risk of kidney stones .

Long-term use of oral vitamin C in doses above 2,000 mg/day increases the risk of significant side effects. So let your doctor know that you are taking vitamin C supplements before having any medical tests as high levels of vitamin C can affect the results of certain tests such as fecal occult blood tests or blood tests. blood sugar test.
Drug interactions
Possible interactions include:
Aluminum: Because taking vitamin C by mouth can increase the body's absorption of aluminum from drugs that contain aluminum, such as phosphate binders. Chemotherapy: There is concern that using antioxidants such as vitamin C during chemotherapy may reduce the effectiveness of cancer drugs. Estrogen: Take vitamin C with oral contraceptives or replacement therapy Hormone replacement therapy may increase estrogen levels Protease Inhibitors: Taking vitamin C by mouth may decrease the effectiveness of these antiviral drugs Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven): High doses of vitamin C can the body's response to this anticoagulant.

References: Mayoclinic.org, Webmd.com