Too much Vitamin C?

[Nis1]

I've done some looking into it but I wanted to know if anyone's had any issues with this. It's recommended that don't take in more than 2000 mg of vitamin C a day. Well between my multivitamin, pre workout, and post workout there's my 2000 mg. anyone ever have any problems because of too much Vitamin C?

 

[Iain1668]

2g is unlikely to give you diarrhea.

I've used as high as 4-6g with no issues. Being water soluble and in your case it's not all in 1 dose you will be fine.

 

[EasyEJL]

recommended by who? With vitamin C, unless its time release, it pretty well all is flushed out within 2 hours anyhow. So getting the 2g in isn't bad if it isn't all at the same time.

 

[mikeg313]

I also heard something about it not being good for woman that cancer runs their family history to take excessive amounts or much supplemental vitamin c. Not really sure where I heard that but this thread reminded me of it. If anyone has knowledge of this information id like to know more and whether its bs or not.

 

[Nis1]

recommended by who? With vitamin C, unless its time release, it pretty well all is flushed out within 2 hours anyhow. So getting the 2g in isn't bad if it isn't all at the same time.

I read it somewhere before and when I saw that I was taking in 2000 mg of vitamin C in my supplements alone I decided to look into it. I googled it and the 3 different websites I looked at all said that with more than 2000 mg, nausea and diarrhea can occur. Also kidney stones. But I'm not a small person and so I don't think it will effect me like it might someone of small stature.

 

[AntM1564]

There was an interesting thread on this a week or two ago. I am having trouble finding it, but I think the consensus was no more than 1g is needed and the more vitamin c is consumed, the less is absorbed. I also think the thread stated not to take it around peri workout.

 

[EasyEJL]

I read it somewhere before and when I saw that I was taking in 2000 mg of vitamin C in my supplements alone I decided to look into it. I googled it and the 3 different websites I looked at all said that with more than 2000 mg, nausea and diarrhea can occur. Also kidney stones. But I'm not a small person and so I don't think it will effect me like it might someone of small stature.

I could see that taking 2g of vitamin c from ascorbic acid could do that to your stomach taken all at once

 

[BigRigg]

I read not to take more than 500mg at a time somewhere, maybe from Coop. Something about the VitC becoming a pro-oxidant instead of antioxidant. Personally I don't take VitC outside my multi.

 

[EatMoar]

Too much of anything can cause problems. Vitamin C is water soluable so it only stays in your system for far less than a day.

 

[Jiigzz]

500mg is enough to reach saturation within the plasma, any excess is expelled from the body. Has a short half-life of only a few hours and so on.
There has been in vitro tests done to show it turns pro-oxidant at higher dosages but IIRC in vivo there was no issue, although taking beyond 500mg in one sitting is pointless.

There hasn't really been any toxicity issues reported aside from diarrhea (hence the 2g per day UL). In most cases, 500mgs is more than enough.

 

[thegodfather]

I remember taking several grams a day for weeks and I actually was dropping weight and mass. I know vitamin C is supposed to suppress cortisol to a degree, but I wonder if extreme excess can raise it?? I stopped it and the weight came back.

Sent from my iPhone

 

[Jiigzz]

I remember taking several grams a day for weeks and I actually was dropping weight and mass. I know vitamin C is supposed to suppress cortisol to a degree, but I wonder if extreme excess can raise it?? I stopped it and the weight came back.

Sent from my iPhone

I would see no correlation between excess vit C and weight loss unless you mean upwards of 2g and had extreme diarrhea

 

[thegodfather]

I would see no correlation between excess vit C and weight loss unless you mean upwards of 2g and had extreme diarrhea

I was at 3g but didn't have diarrhea that I can remember. It's been about 4 years though.

Sent from my iPhone

 

[996ttelise]

Vitamin c at 3 or 4 grams is perfectly cool. I candidly do not think c is benign at those levels unlike d or d3 which many advocate. C does not turn pro oxidant and c is good for you. I do agree that everyone is different and some can metabolize more than others. This is all the more reason go take as much as possible. C is really good for old geezers like me and perhaps most important after 35.

 

[T-Bone]

If you take 500mg in tablet form though, how much is body going to actually absorb?. I've read on here not to take more than 500mg at a time. But how much of that 500mg is going to actually make it into your blood stream?

 

[996ttelise]

If you take 500mg in tablet form though, how much is body going to actually absorb?. I've read on here not to take more than 500mg at a time. But how much of that 500mg is going to actually make it into your blood stream?

Depends on you. I think 1 gram at a time is cool to take. C is the one vitamin my anti aging endo truly believed in besides b12 and tocos. C topical is really good for the face also. Haha, most of you guys are to young to care, but it has kept me young looking. Do both topical and 1gram 2 or 3 times a day. Will not hurt matter what your metabolism may be.

 

[TSB4me]

I also heard something about it not being good for woman that cancer runs their family history to take excessive amounts or much supplemental vitamin c. Not really sure where I heard that but this thread reminded me of it. If anyone has knowledge of this information id like to know more and whether its bs or not.

Hi mikeg, my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer approx.3 years ago.
She had the full mastectomy and after doing a lot of research we both decided not to go the chemo & radiotherapy route that our specialist wanted.
As soon as she had recovered from the operation she did a full year of high dose intravenous Vitamin C going as high as 80g per sitting, approx. 3 & 4 times per month. All done through a qualified doctor who did regular blood tests to make sure her kidneys stayed within the normal ranges.

So far she has been in remission and excellent health for the last 2 years.
She still has 1 intravenous sitting per month of 60g just for maintenance & peace of mind and she also religiously takes 6g Vit C per day.

We have certainly made some major changes to our diet & lifestyle after all this but who wouldn't.

Not sure if this info is helpful to anyone but just thought I'd share it.

 

[BigRigg]

Hi mikeg, my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer approx.3 years ago.
She had the full mastectomy and after doing a lot of research we both decided not to go the chemo & radiotherapy route that our specialist wanted.
As soon as she had recovered from the operation she did a full year of high dose intravenous Vitamin C going as high as 80g per sitting, approx. 3 & 4 times per month. All done through a qualified doctor who did regular blood tests to make sure her kidneys stayed within the normal ranges.

So far she has been in remission and excellent health for the last 2 years.
She still has 1 intravenous sitting per month of 60g just for maintenance & peace of mind and she also religiously takes 6g Vit C per day.

We have certainly made some major changes to our diet & lifestyle after all this but who wouldn't.

Not sure if this info is helpful to anyone but just thought I'd share it.

I have heard of people doing this, but never a first hand account, that's awesome!

http://anabolicminds.com/forum/supplement-reviews-logs/225698-bigriggs-1st-comp.html

 

[fightbackhxc]

I've done some looking into it but I wanted to know if anyone's had any issues with this. It's recommended that don't take in more than 2000 mg of vitamin C a day. Well between my multivitamin, pre workout, and post workout there's my 2000 mg. anyone ever have any problems because of too much Vitamin C?

Just because you take 2G doesn't mean all of it is getting used. That's Not an unheard of dose... esp if your body is deficient. Anyone ever heard of altrient c? liposomal vitamin c?

 

[ryane87]

My wife got bit by a dog and loaded up on some Vitamin C. 7 or 8 grams at one time, I don't recall. Anyway, it ****ed her up bad. She got really sick for a day or so. Needless to say, she never did that again. haha

 

[ohiostate2827]

i take 2g of liposomal vitamin c... works for me

 

[Mp859]

The only side effect will be the runs

 

[Nis1]

Just because you take 2G doesn't mean all of it is getting used. That's Not an unheard of dose... esp if your body is deficient. Anyone ever heard of altrient c? liposomal vitamin c?

I'm not necessarily taking 2 grams on purpose, that's just how much I end up getting with my normal supps. I read that you burn more fat when you take in at least 500 mg but I was concerned that 2 grams was too much. I'm not really concerned anymore though, thanks to everyone that replied!

 

[Mp859]

I take 4000mgs on top of my multis

 

[Mp859]

With no issues

 

[Clemenza]

I felt a bug coming on a few days ago. Since then I've been using 6g Vit C crystals daily. No GI issues and I'm feeling better knock on wood.

After bumping it up this high, I believe it should be tapered down slowly.

 

[cumminslifter]

My wife got bit by a dog and loaded up on some Vitamin C. 7 or 8 grams at one time, I don't recall. Anyway, it ****ed her up bad. She got really sick for a day or so. Needless to say, she never did that again. haha

that is alot at one time.

op i take 2g a day 500mg each dose spread throughout the day. its pretty hard to OD on water soluble vitamins

 

[EatMoar]

that is alot at one time.

op i take 2g a day 500mg each dose spread throughout the day. its pretty hard to OD on water soluble vitamins

hard but not impossible. Eventually you'll get to a point where it does more harm than good. Now fat soluble vitamins..... well thats a whole new 50 shades of grey story

 

[cumminslifter]

hard but not impossible. Eventually you'll get to a point where it does more harm than good. Now fat soluble vitamins..... well thats a whole new 50 shades of grey story

exactly. they can turn ino pro-oxidants

 

[996ttelise]

hard but not impossible. Eventually you'll get to a point where it does more harm than good. Now fat soluble vitamins..... well thats a whole new 50 shades of grey story

What harm can come from 2 grams of C a day. What about 4 grams a day?

 

[cumminslifter]

What harm can come from 2 grams of C a day. What about 4 grams a day?

none. i supplement with 2g and get waaaaay more than that through my diet

 

[996ttelise]

exactly. they can turn ino pro-oxidants

Are you talking about about C reacting with dissolved oxygen to generate ROS or hydrogen peroxide in the arteries? I have heard of a study as to this pro-oxidant effect which I believe was hypothesized as a means of protecting arterial health or reducing blood pressure. I cannot recall, but I do recollect the conclusion that oral ingestion could never likely lead to high enough blood plasma levels to generate this pro-oxidative effect. I think you gotta take it IV to get that pro-oxidant effect.

 

[cumminslifter]

Are you talking about about C reacting with dissolved oxygen to generate ROS or hydrogen peroxide in the arteries? I have heard of a study as to this pro-oxidant effect which I believe was hypothesized as a means of protecting arterial health or reducing blood pressure. I cannot recall, but I do recollect the conclusion that oral ingestion could never likely lead to high enough blood plasma levels to generate this pro-oxidative effect. I think you gotta take it IV to get that pro-oxidant effect.

wasnt aware of this. i just always heard if you take to much it can turn into a pro-oxidant and actualy tart causeing free radical damage

 

[996ttelise]

none. i supplement with 2g and get waaaaay more than that through my diet

Exactly, my point is things are said that may be subject to different interpretations and 6 weeks and 10 threads later people are saying C is pro-oxidant or maybe pro-oxidant at 2 grams. I also think there may be some mingling of concepts such as saturation, absorption, reabsorption and excretion with the dosing or 500 mg level. Maybe someone with time could look it up. I seem to recall saturation at low levels like 100 mg daily, but absorption like 90% at 50 mg and decreasing to maybe 1/2 or less than 1/2 at 1,500.

Anyway, my wife is endo and dietician working at Andrews Clinic in Gulf Breeze with professional athletes to rehab injuries quickly and get back on the field. I know C IV is one thing she uses or recommends post op. My long time endo who primarily deals with Olympic and some pro athletes is big on C, but the testing they do is crazy and nothing is administered arbitrarily.

 

[ryane87]

that is alot at one time.

op i take 2g a day 500mg each dose spread throughout the day. its pretty hard to OD on water soluble vitamins

Absolutely agree. haha She had been taking 2 to 3 grams a day regularly for awhile. Took all that at one time and got messed up. I was just saying you can overdo vit c. Sometimes people get into the mindset that more is better. Not always the case.

 

[Ballesteri]

Info for any of you with tots

Background

Current antidepressants used to treat pediatric patients have the disadvantage of limited efficacy and potentially serious side effects. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of vitamin C as an adjuvant agent in the treatment of pediatric major depressive disorder in a six-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial.
Methods

The study group (n=12) was given fluoxetine (10--20 mg/day) plus vitamin C (1000 mg/day) and control group (n=12) administered fluoxetine (10--20 mg/day) plus placebo. The data were analyzed by ANOVA and t-test for independent samples.
Results

Both groups demonstrated significantly improved scores on the Children's Depression Rating Scale (CDRS), the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), and the Clinical Global Impression (CGI). ANOVA was significantly different on all clinical measurements (group effect, time effect, and interaction), with the exception of group effect and interaction for CGI. Patients treated for six months with fluoxetine and vitamin C showed a significant decrease in depressive symptoms in comparison to the fluoxetine plus placebo group as measured by the CDRS (t=11.36, P<0.0001) and CDI (t=12.27, P<0.0001), but not CGI (t=0.13, P=0.90). No serious adverse effects were observed.
Conclusions

These preliminary results suggest that vitamin C may be an effective adjuvant agent in the treatment of MDD in pediatric patients.

Mostafa Amr, Ahmed El-Mogy, Tarek Shams, Karen Vieira and Shaheen E Lakhan

 

[fightbackhxc]

wasnt aware of this. i just always heard if you take to much it can turn into a pro-oxidant and actualy tart causeing free radical damage

I think liposomal vitamin c addressed this issue.