Is there any danger in taking excess Vitamin C for long periods of time?

Question

I work with the public and often feel like I am going to get a cold/flu. I've been sucking on some Hall's Defense drops for several weeks. The package says that each drop is one day's allowance of vitamin C.
So I am continually sucking on them at work - one or two a day. I do this for other medical reasons. If I suck on one or two of them a day can that hurt my body in the short or long term?

Answer 1

My, what an array of answers you've gotten!

I'm not a doctor but I've done a lot of reading ... and in many ways experimenting with Vit C. Sorry, but my answer's long with some details. Short answer would be "You should be fine."

Most of your respondents noted that (a) your body needs you to get Vit C as it doesn't/can't produce it. TRUE. (As I understand it, other species produce it [for example, cats and dogs].) They also noted that (b) your body gets rid of excess Vit C. TRUE also. It's a "water soluble" vitamin, so your body takes the amount it can process at a given time and then "dumps" excess - via urine or via diarrhea if there's so much it's concentrated or if you're so dehydrated you won't urinate it.

Vit C has many effects, and the only "link to cancer" I'm aware of is as a supplemental treatment. For example, some (not all) health practitioners recognize the value of Vit C in large doses. Noted physician Andrew Weil does/has recommended that people get Vit C intraveneously (IV) after surgery to help with healing, for example. I believe it was noted scientist Linus Pauling who was another firm believer in C --- I think he took about many thousands of milligrams a day for the last so many years of his life!

More recently, I've seen it used as a treatment for a variety of things (I'm trying to recall - I think it's a big option for those with chronic fatigue syndrome, and patients may take 2000-5000 milligrams a day!).

Now more specifically about dosages ... It's doubtful you have to worry about too many Defense lozenges. Check the label; each one is likely to have 60 mg or 90 mg. Your body should be able to process 1000 mg at a time (that's why a person can get those Emergen-C packets and take multiple ones in a day - one doubts their packet could legally read "take 2-4 times per day" [I think that's what it is, may be 1-2] if there were major safety concerns). Why do I sound confused about the possible amount in your lozenges? Many packages say "100% daily dose" but were made (products or packages) before the FDA increased the US RDA from 60 to 90 mg for adults. Or perhaps it's that the child US RDA is still 60 - sorry, fuzzy on that detail.

Must run - need another vit C to help reduce my allergy symptoms. :)

Best wishes, and may you find that vit C is enough. (Zinc and B vitamins can be helpful also.)

Oh -- almost forgot -- the only thing that might raise a 'red flag' here is the 'sucking on them a lot' part. If these are sugary or if they are hard and you end up chomping on 'em, the only downside could be the same type of downside as you'd face with , say, candy - they could damage your teeth. :( I believe dentists are still actively suggesting people watch out for things which can prolong the sugars and/or hard surfaces one's teeth encounter!

Answer 2

Using Vitamin C products beyond recommended the limits may cause stomachaches and diarrhea. Even though the body would only use as much as it needs of the vitamin, Vitamin C Overdose can hinder metabolic activities in the body. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for Vitamin C in nonsmoking adults is 75 mg per day for women and 90 mg per day for men. For smokers, the RDAs are 110 mg per day for women and 125 mg per day for men. A dose of 200 milligrams daily is almost enough to maximize plasma and lymphocyte levels. Higher levels of Vitamin C are needed when under environmental stress such as trauma, fever or infection. Full saturation is reached with daily intakes of 200-500 mg per day (in 2-3 divided doses). This is a water-soluble protein, and anything in excess is excreted by the body. Vitamin C Overdose can cause diarrhea, gas, or stomach upset. Other side effects could be stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea, and an increased risk of developing kidney stones. Large amounts of Vitamin C reduce body levels of copper, an essential nutrient. People with iron overload diseases must avoid Vitamin C Overdose, as it increases iron absorption. Special medical advice must be taken by individuals who have kidney stones. If a pregnant mother takes 6,000 mg of Vitamin C, the baby may develop rebound scurvy due to a sudden drop in daily intake. Hemochromatosis patients should not take Vitamin C due to enhanced accumulation of non-heme iron in the presence of this vitamin. ALSO.... I loveeeee vit.c tablets and ate like 8 once just cos they're yummy.. and I was on the loo for hours!

Answer 3

Even though Vit C doesn't stay in our bodies.. that is why you have to constantly consume it daily, you can O'd on Vit C. I have never heard of someone dying from taking too much but it isn't good for your body to take more then the recommended amount and if you take like 1-2 chew ables more than you should, make sure you only do it when you have a virus. Vit C is linked to cancer. =O

Answer 4

250 mg Vitamil C is required in our body Daily. And it is enough. OK ? If you take more than 250 mg, it just drain out by urin or other way. If taken too much , some side effects are there but not scaring. Are you clear ?

Answer 5

Taking excess vitamin C generally isn't perceived as dangerous. Vitamin C is water soluble, so if you overdose, your body just won't absorb it and it will come out in your urine.

Answer 6

Not that I am aware of. Vit. c can cause diarrhea if too much-over 1000 mg. per day. Any further questions, or even this one, please speak with a pharmacist in your local area. Have you had your flu shot yet this year? Take care.

Answer 7

Vitamin C Overdose can cause diarrhea, gas, stomach upset, severe back pain, jaundice, itchy skin (prurutis), tender mass in left upper abdomen (splenomegaly), fever.