Vitamin C overdose: Causes
From a scientific point of view, it is very difficult to detect vitamin C overdose. In fact, it is unclear whether measuring the level of vitamin C in the blood actually does any good. Normal values are not clearly defined, there are only reference values and recommendations. Therefore, it is difficult to assess the level of vitamin C correctly.
A normal value is considered to be a vitamin C level of 5 to 15 mg/l blood. Based on this, both a vitamin C deficiency and a vitamin C overdose can be determined. The latter, however, hardly ever occurs in healthy people, since vitamin C is water-soluble. An excess of ascorbic acid is therefore simply excreted by the body in the urine. However, if high doses of vitamin C are taken over a longer period of time, for example in tablet or powder form, an excess of vitamin C can occur. This risk exists especially in metabolic diseases.
Vitamin C overdose: side effects
Normally, vitamin C overdose is not dangerous for healthy people. However, people who are sensitive to vitamin C may experience digestive problems and diarrhea.
Vitamin C: Allergy
Regardless of the dose, some people have allergic reactions to vitamin C. This happens quite often. However, an allergy to vitamin C is often not recognized as such, because the allergic reaction can also come from many other components found in foods containing vitamin C (citrus fruits, peppers, etc.). Often these are, for example, preservatives with which fruits and vegetables have been treated, or the so-called chlorogenic acid. This is a natural substance found in many plants.
The symptoms of a vitamin C allergy can be, for example, itching in the throat, swelling (lips), redness, blistering and a furry tongue. If you suspect an allergy, you should see a doctor and have an allergy test.
