Vitamin C Overdose Symptoms

Ascorbic acid is commonly known as vitamin C. It helps in the secretion of adrenal hormones, increases iron and calcium absorption, enhances the immunity, reduces cholesterol, prevents arteriosclerosis and improves health of gums and teeth. The list of benefits of vitamin C is very big. Deficiency of vitamin C leads to loose teeth, bleeding gums, hair loss, chronic anemia, easy bruising and delayed wound healing, dry skin etc. Importance of vitamin C is well-known. But most people do not know that excess of vitamin C is harmful to health. The food you eat should contain proportionate amount of vitamin C. Let us first take a look at the recommended intake of vitamin C for different age groups, so that, the concept of 'overdose' will be clear.

Recommended Intake of Vitamin C

• Children (9-13 years) - 25-50 mg/day.
• Teenage boys - 75 mg/day.
• Teenage girls - 65 mg/day.
• Men - 90 mg/day.
• Women - 75 mg/day.
• Smokers, Pregnant Women and Lactating Women - 100-135 mg/day.

Your body eliminates vitamin C every twelve hours, because of which, an adequate daily intake of vitamin C is essential. Fruits like lemon, orange, grapes, kiwi, guava etc. and vegetables like cauliflower, garlic, spinach are the common sources of vitamin C.

Vitamin C Overdose

Human body never stores vitamin C and so it is very rare to have excessive amount of this vitamin in the body. The excess vitamin C is excreted by your body through urine regularly. Vitamin C overdose symptoms are noticed when people take excessive doses of vitamin C supplements to enjoy the health benefits of antioxidant properties that the vitamin carries. You might be knowing that free radicals (molecules having a single unpaired electron in their outer shell) are responsible for diseases like cataracts, cancer, heart and lung diseases. The anti oxidants prevent the damage of cells due to free radicals. Vitamin C intake can be increased sometimes, with this purpose in mind.

Minor Symptoms

• Mouth Ulcers
• Gases
• Nausea, vomiting, dizziness
• Strong smelling urine
• Bloating
• Upset stomach
• Indigestion
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Fever
• Increased stress level
• Reddened face
• Skin rashes
• Foot cramps
• Abdominal cramps

Major Symptoms
These problems may arise if you consume vitamin C more than 6000 mg/day.

• Kidney stones, as vitamin C helps in the absorption of calcium and extra calcium can lead to the formation of kidney stones.
• Vitamin B12 depletion is caused by the excessive vitamin C.
• There can be increased need for oxygen, resulting in an added pressure on heart, because of excessive vitamin C.
• Copper deficiency arises due to the overdose of vitamin C.
• Jaundice infection may occur if high doses of vitamin C are consumed.
• Dental cavities can form due to excessive vitamin C.
• Severe back pain can be noticed when high quantity of vitamin C is consumed.
• Insomnia is also noticed when there is an overdose of vitamin C.
• Iron poisoning due to increase in absorption of iron is noticed as a result of vitamin C overdose.

Treatment
Ascorbic acid is non-toxic. Vitamin C overdose symptoms can be different for every individual, depending upon age, genes and the ratio of other reactive elements in the body. A professional medical advice should be sought if a person exhibits the symptoms of excess of vitamin C in his body. First thing you can do is decrease the dose of vitamin C intake, as quickly as possible, under the guidance of your physician. The doctor can help lower the symptoms of this unusual condition. Drinking plenty of water is recommended, as vitamin C can be flushed out through urine.

Hemochromatosis is a hereditary disease. Those who are diagnosed for this disease, usually face the problem of excessive absorption of dietary iron, leading to an increase in total body iron storage. Such individuals should avoid vitamin C as it enhances accumulation of iron. High doses of vitamin E can treat iron poisoning.

Vitamin C is considered as an anti-aging agent and so, is consumed in large quantities. But, after reading about 'too much of vitamin C and side effects', I am sure, you will definitely prefer a balanced intake of vitamin C.