What are the side effects of vitamin C?

Vitamin C or ascorbic acid, a water-soluble vitamin, is found in citrus fruit, such as oranges, lemons and grapefruit, as well as in many other fruit and vegetables. The average recommended daily intake of vitamin C for women is 75 milligrams and 90 milligrams for men. This vitamin boasts great benefits for the body: skin healthiness, anti-aging effect, boosts immunity defences, is an energy booster and helps prevent some diseases and infections. Vitamin C deficiency can occur as a result of a poor diet, smoking, excess drugs and alcohol, and due to specific risk factors (aging, sun exposure, genetics) and pathologies (immunodeficient people, diabetics, people suffering from inflammatory disorders). Here, at YuBoost, we propose several IV therapies to enable your body to assimilate vitamins, minerals and antioxidants rapidly and effectively. However, you must always be aware that overdoses are possible. Side effects are likely to occur when you have excess vitamin C in your body, as the body can’t stock the excess. There are also contraindications to ascorbic acid supplements if you have a certain medical history or take specific medication.

Vitamin C deficiency risks

Vitamin C deficiency can lead to a number of different symptoms: severe fatigue, mood disorders, joint pain, anaemia, weight loss, etc. Various dermatological symptoms can also occur: dry skin, blotchy skin, hair loss, brittle nails, bleeding around the gums and poor wound healing.  A vitamin C supplement can as such bean option to remedy this deficiency. Intravenous vitamin injections are the perfect solution for relieving your symptoms rapidly: the vitamin is directly assimilated in your bloodstream without travelling through the digestive wall and ,as such, you can feel its benefits a few hours after the infusion.

Excess vitamin C side effects: digestive and urinary disorders, insomnia

High intakes of vitamin C may, in some cases, cause gastrointestinal disorders, such as rapid transit, nausea, bloating, abdominal pain and heartburn. These symptoms may be accompanied by slight headaches. If diarrhoea occurs, it’s vital to drink enough water to prevent any risk of dehydration. Urinary disorders may also occur: some patients may feel discomfort when passing urine or may notice abnormal urine colour. In addition, some people state they have problems falling asleep after having taken vitamin C. Ascorbic acid supplements should be taken preferably at the beginning of the day and should be avoided in the evening so as not to interfere with sleep quality.

Vitamin C supplement contraindications

A vitamin C supplement is not recommended for people with a history of kidney stones or severe renal insufficiency. This is because part of the ascorbic acid eliminated in the urine is in the form of oxalate, a chemical compound responsible for the majority of kidney stones. A vitamin C supplement should also be avoided in people who have excess iron in their blood. As ascorbic acid promotes the intestinal absorption of iron, this could worsen iron overload. Those who take specific medication (deferoxamine, simvastatin, warfarin) should also be vigilant as ascorbic acid can interfere with these treatments