8 Vitamin C Benefits (and Some Common Side Effects)

Side Effects

33 User Reviews
(33) 
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Posted by V (Anon, Usa) on 11/09/2012

Yeah I bought my "pure" ascorbic acid online and took just 1/4 tsp (1 tsp = 5g) and my stomach felt upset, no runs though. I will try taking it with food next time. Also I tried sodium ascorbate but I'm sodium sensitive and makes my heart kind of do a flutter thing when I lay down to sleep. Sodium bicarbonate has a similar effect.


Side Effects
Posted by Wendy (London, England) on 05/06/2012

Have suffered for years with IBS, in my case diarrhoea.

I tried to discover what I was taking that could be making this worse. It suddenly came to me that something I take, every day (because it is good for me, so I thought) is 1000mg of Vitamin C. I know too much can give you diarrhoea, but it never occured to me this could be too much.

Anyway I have stopped taking it and all those gripey pains have gone. This of course won't apply to everyone but if you are taking it as a supplement it could be the answer.

Replied by Jon
(Othello, Wa, Usa)
05/07/2012

Side effects from taking large dosages of vitamin C can be ameliorated by combining equal parts liposomes with vitamin C in 1 cup of water and then put in a blender on high for 2 or so minutes. Drink the resulting beverage and it will rapidly assimilate into your body with no diarrhea.

The reason for the diarrhea is from poor absorbtion. Excess vitamin C creates an osmotic gradient that pulls water into the intestines resulting in diarrhea and the associated cramps.

Vitamin C is very safe, the LD50 for it roughly translates to 850 grams (just under 1 kilogram or roughly 1 pound) for an average person.

All animals (except for guinea pigs, bats, and primates) produce their own vitamin C. Humans and primates utilize uric acid for a reducing agent/antioxidant in lieu of it. So perhaps less is needed, but looking at the amount of vitamin C produced naturally by animals it would translate to 1400mg per day for an average person. This is recognized for guinea pigs whose commercially prepared food contains that amount (scaled down for size of course). Yet for us humans the recommended daily allowance is only 75-90mg, 15 times less than what other animals naturally produce. The recommended dosage will prevent scurvy, but you're unlikely to thrive on that small amount.

Replied by Michael
(California)
06/10/2017

To Wendy in London (several years later...)

I take MANY grams of vitamin C every day, and have to take ascorbic acid powder (I put it in capsules because it will dissolve your teeth, as it did my parents') -- I cannot tolerate the sodium in sodium ascorbate, and neither that nor calcium ascorbate or others "pack enough punch" to do what I need, which is to stop edema. I just want to say here that over the years of taking ascorbic acid powder I have checked different sources and noticed that when GMO corn became prevalent (I think it was in the 1990s) I ran into ascorbic acid powder that gave me stomach aches, and had to seek out sources that claimed to be purified of all traces of corn -- Nutribiotic brand USED TO be made in the US and claimed like "16 stages of purification" on its label, with a big NO GMO sign. For a couple of years now, however, it is apparently mfrd in China, so I am wary, but it seems ok for me -- but Bronson makes a powder that seems the same to me, and is considerably cheaper.

Replied by Michael
(California)
06/10/2017

A PS: I meant to add this link I just ran across today, which seems to explain things well:

Why A Sick Body Needs So Much Vitamin C

http://www.doctoryourself.com/cathcart_thirdface.html


Side Effects
Posted by Virginia (Hamilton, Canada) on 10/31/2011

Vitamin C side effects

I have been taking 1/2 teaspoon Vit C Ascorbic Acid with 1/4 teaspoon Baking Soda with a few oz of pineapple juice 2 times per day. After a few days I woke up with really sharp pain in my bladder area, and then following day pain in my leftside kidney. Can Vitamin C cause kidney stones? Is this too much Vit C?


Side Effects
Posted by Rupa (Canada, On) on 11/20/2009

Does Vitamin C causes hair fall? I have been asked by doctor to take iron tablet as my hair was falling. I learned that iron tab (300mg) taken with Vitamin C helps to absorb iron (folic acid) faster. So I took together Vitamin C and iron tablet. But to my surprise my hair fall increased as never before. The rate of fall is higher. I almost lost so many hair. I am confused why it is so. May be Vitamin C is acidic in nature and that may causes hair fall? Or It is some thing like fall is the season for hair fall too?

Replied by Ron
(Emporia, Kansas)
12/24/2009

Hi Rupa,

The only thing that has worked for me is 5,000 mcg of Biotin in capsule form once a day. It took a couple weeks for it to stop falling out, but it stopped. I take a minimum of 3,000mg of vitamin C daily, so, for me vitamin C is not a factor. I have never run across data that a lack of iron causes hair loss. Time of the year shouldn't be a factor either.

Replied by Priyanka
(Mumbai, India)
12/20/2016

Hi Rupa,

I was suffering from hairfall for almost 2 years. I read on the internet that 5,000 mcg of Biotin daily is helpful and started having it. Initially hairfall reduced but started again after 4 months.

So I went to the doctor and he asked me to take iron, folic acid and multivitamin for 6 months. he said hairfall will stop in these 6 months but it did not, though it did reduce.

Finally I went to Homeopathy doctor. From the 1st month itself my hairfall reduced drastically and stopped completely in 7-8 months. I think homeopathy was very effective and my hair has also grown back. People have commented that my hair is looking thicker than before.

Replied by Baldev
(Maharashtra)
12/20/2016
185 posts

Hi Rupa, Make Borax solution and apply to the scalp liberally keep it for about 30 mts. and there after wash it with plain water. Do it for four days and three days off. It will stop the hair fall and if you are lucky new hair may also come up. Good Luck Baldev(9322887066)

Replied by Shawna
(United States)
09/29/2017

Vitamin C will bind iron and all other metals or toxins when taken together. Take separate. An hour or so apart. Take vitamin C with lemon water to prevent kidney stones.

Vitamin C is a miracle. Look into the vitamin C protocol


Side Effects
Posted by Jean (Redding, Ca, Usa) on 10/04/2009

I have a very odd situation. Vitamin C causes strange side effects in me and my children. These include small, hard nodules in our fingers, sores in our mouths and bruising on our arms. I am 49, but it has always been this way. my children have the same symptoms. My dad has gout ( I have never had any symptoms of that), but I wonder if the two conditions could be related? Has anyone else had anything like this?

EC: Please tell us what type of vitamin C you are taking. Thanks!

Replied by Kate
(London, Uk)
06/16/2010

Re: side effects vitamin C. I've read that excessive doses can cause copper deficiency. On one website I read:

"In another chronic copper deficiency / high Vitamin C example, a young boy was brought into my office to investigate the reason why his leg bones were soft and becoming increasingly malformed. It turned out that his father was giving him 2,000 mg of Vitamin C a day, starting shortly after he was born, which resulted in a severe, long-term copper deficiency. Reducing the Vitamin C to more reasonable levels, and recommending some copper-rich foods for the boy, corrected the condition."

This makes me very cautious about megadoses over a long period, though the website also says that taking the ascorbate version is a good protection against some side effects. Views?

Replied by Bill
(San Fernando, Luzon, Philippines)
06/17/2010

Hi Kate...Although I don't doubt the instance of the boy suffering copper depletion and its unfortunate effects, the research in the area of the relationship between copper and vitamin c is still quite sadly lacking. However, it has been known for some time that animals such as dogs, cattle and horses can all internally generate their own vitamin c as ascorbates from their own livers, and the amounts generated -- compared to our own recommended RDA -- 75 mgs -- is relatively huge. These animals generate upwards of 8 grams of vitamin c a day for themselves seemingly without harm.

I also admit that the research in this area is sadly lacking and not well understood, but here is an extract on this subject from a research site:

"Although vitamin C supplements have produced copper deficiency in guinea pigs (7), animals requiring dietary vitamin C, the effect of vitamin C supplements on copper nutritional status in humans is less clear. Two small studies in healthy young adult men indicate that the oxidase activity of ceruloplasmin may be impaired by relatively high doses of supplemental vitamin C. In one study, vitamin C supplementation of 1,500 mg/day for two months resulted in a significant decline in ceruloplasmin oxidase activity (8). In the other study, supplements of 605 mg of vitamin C/day for three weeks resulted in decreased ceruloplasmin oxidase activity, although copper absorption did not decline (9). Neither of these studies found vitamin C supplementation to adversely affect copper nutritional status. "
From The Linus Pauling Institute Website

Perhaps the lesson here is to ensure proper daily mineral intake -- including copper -- as a safe dietary regimen with all vitamins, since minerals tend to play such a crucial part -- as enzymes -- in the metabolism and activity of vitamins in our body.

Concerning copper intake, liver is far and away the largest natural source of this mineral and can be taken as cooked liver or simply as dessicated liver tablets.


Side Effects
Posted by Catherine (Seattle, WA) on 01/31/2009

I was fighting a sinus infection last week after landing in California and went to a Whole Foods to get some Vitamin C. I decided to get Emergen-C to add to water because it had a really tempting fruity flavor. Immediately after taking my first packet (which was delicious), I felt a weird sensation in my head and then I got really edgy (as in bad mood edgy). I read the ingredients on the box and sure enough, the vitamin C used in this brand is Aspartic acid, an excitotoxin. The Emergen-C also contained "natural flavors", aka MSG. I waited 24 hours and tried again to see if I would have the same side effects. Again, within a minute of drinking the packet, I got the same sensation in my head. My question is, are you doing more good or harm to the body when you take this form of vitamin c?!! Also, does Whole Foods know what they're selling? I thought they had stricter standards than most health food stores about supplements! I now need to check the ingredients on the dissolvable vitamin c from Trader Joe's that I have at home to see if it's the same stuff. GRRRR!!!

Replied by Ted
(Bangkok, Thailand)
02/01/2009
391 posts

Aspartic acid is a well known excitotoxin and so is monosodium glutamate or MSG. In the long run it's going to destroy the immune system through a neurodegenerative disorder. Once the excitotoxins is destroyed the immune system is down. Now in a pharamaceutical formulation adding this results in the need to take that since you get sicker and so you might feel some relief, the long term is it's going to make a person sicker, which result in greater sales for product with excitotoxins added. Now imagine a child who is a borderline autism, ADHD, these can result in many other neurodegenerative disorders and metabolic acidosis. As for me decades ago I took accidentally soft drinks with aspartame resulting in deafness, but also a permanent partial macular degeneration of the eyes. So the systematic destruction is almost wholesale if given long term use. Luckily Emergen C is not sold in Thailand, although some friends of mind given me this, I don't take it. I prefer to buy bulk vitamin C and mix them myself. There are other excitotoxins, but aspartic acid, aspartame, monosodium glutamate, and glutamic acid are the most well known.

There are other things people need to know that also accelerates aging process besides excitotoxins, well known in research circles, they are ketones and aldehydes. In one study, 36 out of 37 perfumes contain ketones, commonly in the form of musk ketones. Aldhydes are perfumes used in many cometic products, such as Chanel No. 5, but also in many consumer products, such as detergents and soap. The third common one is the bisphenol A, which acts like estrogen found in nearly all canned products that have plastic linings, and benzene, a degradation of sodium benzoate is found in most soft drinks.

I remember a newsreporter who uncovered U.S> black ops, that appeared on "What's My Line", a close friend of Marilyn Monroe, before both are dead mysteriously and the drinking water were heavily added using fluoride and LSD. Thus fluoridation and chlorination, if some of these are used in assassinations, I doubt I want to use them in my drinking water supply.

Therefore most effervescent products sometimes they are not labeled so I ended up calling the factory sometimes. One easy way to measure excitotoxin poisoning is tthat the urinary pH suddenly become very acid, such as pH 5.5 or lower and even taking more baking soda barely raise the pH long enough to be satisfactory. Such as it can't raise the pH for the entire day. It also takes weeks for the pH to be near normal after taking b complex and baking soda for a week or two. A long term taking of this can also resulted in higher urinary sugar and damaged pancreas, besides damaging the brain. One of the worse advertisement I have seen is Michael J. Fox supporting Diet Pepsi, which contains aspartame, and he himself has Parkinson's disease, which will make such conditions much worse. The remedy is not to take aspartame for Parkinson's disease or to undergo stem cells, since it's not yet legal at the moment and stem cell research has been blocked for at least 8 years. Methylene blue taken at 2 drops at 0.1% concentration might reverse some of the effects of excitotoxins as it is one of my remedies for Parkinson's disease also.

Taking excitotoxins is a long term damage that may lead to degenerative disorders, metabolic acidosis, and lowered immune system. Therefore I would avoid them as best as I can.

Ted

Replied by Rosy
(Orlando, Fl)
02/01/2009

I feel the same way after taking the emergen-c. I had to give it way. I didn't know that Aspartic acid was an excitotoxin.

Replied by Joyce
(Joelton, Tn.)
02/01/2009
495 posts

Hello Catherine: Unless you consider killing off your brain cells good, ingesting excitotoxins, or neurotoxins is very bad. When you read up on excittoxins, you will find the same two majors so rampant in our processed foods, monosodium glutamate and aspartame, are also blamed for making our bodies kick out excessive insulin which starts us down the progression of insulin resistance and development of diabetes mellitus, type 2. Personally, I don't care to ingest any of them but it is very difficult to avoid them in our foods these days.

Russell Blaylock tells us that any hydrolyzed plant (corn, soy, pea, etc) protein is the most deadly form of all of MSG because it kills off two different types of neurons, because it contains both MSG and aspartame. Since this would hold true for ingredients listing both monosodium glutamate and aspartame in the ingredients, stay away from those foods containing either one these toxins. Read labels carefully before buying as I have found a couple of canned vegetables listing ingredients: monosodium glutamate, spices, hydrolyzed plant protein, and natural flavors all on the same label.

To make this story more pitiful, they were not at the end of the ingredients list and the ingredients are supposed to be listed beginning with what it contains most of first and listing those with very small amounts last.

Replied by Dianna
(Austin, TX)
02/01/2009

wow! i am upset by this. i have been taking emergen-c for years and i didn't know that this was anything other than an amino acid.

so - i need to find another vitamin/mineral blend that is easy to take. i just looked up airborne's ingredients and am sad to say that they contain acesulfame potassium which is an artificial sweetener... as well as sorbitol...

can anyone give me the name of a product that is similar to these and is safe?
thanks
djh

Replied by Sandy
(In the sticks, Nevada)
02/02/2009

Thank you Catherine in Seattle for sharing this. I would not have known -- just goes to show that a person needs to read the label on everything -- even "trusted" products that seem healthy. I would like to give everyone a heads up on two other problem products within our food supply. There may be a few of you that have not heard that there is yet another reason to avoid High Fructose Corn Syrup -- mercury! Here is a link I found -- http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2009/1/26/132619/467 --but go ahead and google this yourself. Also, to my horror, I purchased a bottle of Balsamic vinegar the other day, used some and then noticed on the label, A LEAD WARNING! I am still researching this, but wanted to share a link with you http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/01/18/why-is-there-lead-in-my-balsamic-vinegar/

Evidently a person would have to consume a lot of vinegar to reach the lead level in California's Proposition 65. Even so, I feel that I don't need any extra lead :), so I am going to start buying certified lead free vinegar. I know that I am probably ingesting other toxic things in my food, but what is a person to do? I just say a little prayer over my food and try to do the best I can with what I know.

Replied by Patricia
(Elmont, NY)
02/02/2009

emergen-c caused a herpes simplex outbreak. I was shopping at Trader Joes and I picked up a pack of emergen-c. thinking that it will supply me with needed vit-c. I took one packet right at the store with water that I bought there. I felt really weird after taking it. I read the ingredients and I noticed natural flavors and natural sucrose. I know from previous time that anything edible containing natural flavours it is MSG. No sooner did I get into my car to leave,my lip became inflamed and I had the start of a cold sore. I returned to the store and got my money back. I later spoke to the manager about the situation and he said he cannot pull anything off the shelf. It has to be done by headquarters. Now I only depend on good quality Vit C. Emergen-C is on my not-to-buy-list!

Replied by Catherine
(San Fran, CA)
02/02/2009

hi, Dianne. Yes, they've been adding aspartame to Airborne since the teacher who invented the formula sold it to a big pharma company (if I am recalling this correctly). Amazing how they try and hide the toxic ingredients with all sorts of other names! We all really have to keep up with the latest research in order to notice the changing names.

Replied by Earth Clinic
(USA)
02/20/2009

We went to Whole Foods last week, and Trader Joes today, and checked out the ingredients of the Emergen-C sold at both stores. None of the ingredients in any of the Emergen-C boxes listed aspartic acid as the form of vitamin c. It was all vitamin c in the form of Asorbic Acid. Readers from other territories (outside Atlanta), if you get a chance to look, please report your findings. Thanks!

Replied by Renate
(Parrish, FL, USA)
02/20/2009

I purchased my Emergen-C at Walmart. It contains Vit C as ascorbic acid, zinc ascorbate, chromium ascorbate, but below at the bottom after other ingredients: fructose, citric acid, natural flavors, tapicopa maltodextrin, malic acid, silica, gylcine, aspartic acid, tartaric acid, cysteine hydrochloride. I can't believe that ingredients would be different depending upon where purchased.

EC: Ah ha! Thank you, we didn't scroll down that far... certainly explains it.

Replied by Franklin
(Vancouver, BC, Canada)
02/20/2009

Hi, I got my EmergenC at Whole Foods in Vancouver (925 Main St location). Packaging says the C is from aspartic acid, not asorbic acid.

Replied by Dianna
(Austin, TX)
03/20/2009

i have a question about vitamin and mineral supplements. for several years i took emergen-C daily. however recently after reading about it containing excito toxins and checking the label and seeing that and perhaps MSG - i stopped. now i am only taking a multi vitamin and some triphala powder (very high in vit. c) and also some ACV each day. my question is: does anyone know a good replacement for emergen-C? i don't want to take a bunch of pills, would prefer a powder i can mix in water or juice. i am just worried that now i am not getting enough minerals!

OR SHOULD I JUST START TAKING THE EMERGEN-C AGAIN??? help!
i never really had any side effects that i could tell from it.


Side Effects
Posted by Christine (Virginia Beach, VA) on 12/17/2008

Have been reading your Vitamin C section; I do so wish you would have a link to Dr. Klenner's paper on Vitamin C, particularly the pregnancy section. Dr. K. was able to help expectant mothers who would have died otherwise by prescribing Vitamin C for them. In fact, the mothers who took Dr. Klenner's prescribed doses of Vitamin C had no stretch marks and easy births.

Sometimes you need an objective health professional to tell you whether taking Vitamin C is related to symptoms that you are experiencing. Or is it a component of the Vitamin C, such as aspartic acid, or the type of Vitamin C you are taking? E.g. taking straight ascorbic acid in water can corrode your digestive tract because Vitamin C is an acid. That's why it's usually buffered with sodium. If you take calcium ascorbate, be sure to balance it with magnesium citrated (magnesium oxide is not readily absorbed).

As for a person being "allergic" to Vitamin C, that is impossible. Vitamin C is a universal detoxifier. High doses of Vitamin C are used to stop hayfever. It has to be a component of the tablet, not the Vitamin C, that is causing an allergic reaction.

EC: Here is a link we found on Google to "Clinical Guide to the Use of Vitamin C" by Dr. Klenner. http://www.seanet.com/~alexs/ascorbate/198x/smith-lh-clinical_guide_1988.htm

If you have another link, please send it along!

Replied by Ron
(Emporia, Kansas)
12/25/2009

Here's another paper by Dr. Klenner "Observations On the Dose and Administration of Ascorbic Acid When Employed Beyond the Range Of A Vitamin In Human Pathology" http://yost.com/health/klenner/klenner-1971.pdf


Side Effects
Posted by Philip Lim (Makati, Philippines) on 12/09/2008

Can vitamin c cause urinary tract burning sensation and hair lose? I take 1000 mg daily for one year. is it overdose? Im 45 yrs old.


Side Effects
Posted by Wes (Webster, TX) on 01/10/2008

I'm 220 and work out almost everyday. I started taking 2000mg of vitamin C. Ester C tablets. A few days later I noticed I was very easily enraged. I did this for about 4 weeks and decided it wasn't worth it. I recently started taking and animal pack vitamin package. After taking for several days I noticed the same effect. Read the ingredient 2000 mg Vitamin C. So I stopped taking it. Is there anyway to counteract the aggressiveness. IE some other vitamin.

Replied by Ted
(Bangkok)
391 posts

First off 2000 mg of vitamin C is too much, for an oil soluble Ester C. Most remedies I used revolves around the use of a much safer water soluble sodium ascorbate. To reduce the problem of ester C is to remove them. Since ester C is oil soluble, one tablespoon of granulated lecithin is preferably three or four times a day to displace it, and drink plenty of water. The other thing that may reduce rage effects is taking plenty of amino acid supplements plus some added tryptophan amino acid. A 1/2 teaspoon baking soda in 1/2 glass of water taken at least twice a day may also further reduce the problem. A neutral pH ester C is really acid for the body as the body is generally more alkaline than the ester C, and hence the baking soda remedy is used.


Another that might be useful in brain biochemistry, to reduce this problem is the flaxseed oil and fish oil, to protect normal brain function, besides the other remedies already considered.

Replied by Christine
(USA)
11/04/2008

This afternoon, I visited your site and noted a comment by a reader who said that Ester C made him enraged. It's not the Vitamin C, it's the aspartic acid in the Ester C product. I verified this with an aspartame activist. Aspartic acid is an excitotoxin, a poison that kills brain cells. Yep, it's the same stuff as in aspartame. All of the studies done on Vitamin C were done with sodium ascorbate, which is a type of chemically buffered Vitamin C. It's best to take it as a powder in water, because you can get gastritis if you take too many pills.

Hope that helps,
Christine

"Aspartic acid is an amino acid. Well, amino acids are good for us, right? Don't they keep us healthy ? The answer is yes, amino acids are necessary for good health, EXCEPT when you separate the individual amino acid from its protein chain, and use it as an "isolate" or by itself. (S.Sawada, et al '98)

In aspartame, these become synergistic toxins; one component playing off the other in a dangerous, systemic downward spiral. This eventually gives way to clinical manifestations; "hard-to-diagnose" health complications, and a myriad of medical symptoms and illnesses, which can eventually cause irreversible medical complications and death.

Aspartic acid, in aspartame, is an excitotoxin. An excitotoxin, is a deleterious substance that excites or over stimulates nerve cells. This occurs in the brain, as well as the peripheral nerves, because aspartic acid, in free form, easily crosses the blood-brain barrier. This pathological excitation of nerve cells creates a breakdown of nerve function, as we will see. (L.E.Rosenberg, McGraw-Hill 1991)

Replied by Roxanne
(Easton, Pennsylvania)
11/21/2008

I found the information about aspartame in Ester C product interesting. I've had two spinal fusion and my Doctor wants me to take vitiman C for healthy cell growth etc. I could not take regular vitamin C after awhile needing nexium for months. I switched to Ester C. 6 months ago taking 500-1000mgs. a day. I had have a burning, tingling and pain in legs for months only getting extremely worse over the past 2 months. Now I am taking Neurontin 300mg;bid. My neurosurgeon wants me to go through an EMG again. I've been throught every MRI/scan to rule out my fusions/nerves at spine. After reading this and how aspartame can effect peripheral nerves it makes sense. It must be the Ester C? Thanks again for the insight.


Side Effects
Posted by Kat (Albuquerque, New Mexico) on 12/11/2007

I just wanted to comment on a reply were you stated that vitamin c can help prevent miscarriage. ascorbic acid (synthetic vit c i believe) is actually and abortificient in early term pregnancy, so you should be sure to note that unless a woman is trying to terminate a pregnancy, she should never take ascorbic acid while pregnant (ascorbic acid is the main ingredient in most off brand and lower priced vit c supplements.)

Replied by DarenM
(Trenton, MI)
10/07/2008

Kat,

Ascorbic acid IS Vitamin C. Just the scientific name. It by no means refers to the ingredient in "off brand" and "lower priced" vitamin C supplements. Other ways you may see it on the back of bottles and such is "sodium ascorbate" or "calcium ascorbate" which is actually mineral vitamin C and can help people who suffer any heatburn problems from taking to much ascorbic acid. The sodium, and calcium ascorbates are cut as to not be so acidic. The downside is that you need to watch your intake as i think calcium is NOT water soluable. As far as it being used for miscarriages, I doubt it. You'd have to take quite a bit.


Side Effects
Posted by JD (NYC) on 11/08/2007

I remember that my brother used to get nose bleeds when he took too much vitamin c when he was sick during college years. I can take up to 3,000 milligrams of Ester C for about 3 days before I get diarrhea. I know at that point to stop because my system can't take it anymore. Interestingly, the sicker I am, the more C I can take without the diarrhea.

Replied by John
(Ireland)
09/15/2015

Your body uses the C to heal your sickness. Less sick, less C needed so you throw out wha'ts left. Use Organic Sulphur with the C, amazing results.


Side Effects
Posted by Annie (Chicago, IL) on 10/10/2007

I got a facial for the first time in my life four days ago and the vitamin C products the aesthetician used seems to have caused a reaction on my skin. I have a rash all over my forehead, although it is not red. It's more like a breakout, except when I scratch it, it is itchy--unlike acne. This seems to be a mild allergic reaction to vitamin C. I am worried because my wedding is this weekend! Has anyone had a similar experience and can I expect it to go away in a couple days?

Replied by Jennifer
(Denver, CO)
11/08/2007

RE: VITAMIN C PRODUCTS CAUSED FACIAL RASH 10/10/2007: Annie I have the same problem, athough I myself am an esthetician. I cannot use C or A on my face without a similar reaction. Ironically, the C products are prescribed for sensiteive skin!


Side Effects
Posted by Eve (Upper Marlboro, MD) on 08/08/2007

I've had an allergy to vitamin c since birth. As a child, my parents observed rashes on my face and body when I consumed too much vitamin c. Now, as an adult, I have acne breakouts when I eat oranges, or drink juices or take supplements with higher than 100% of the daily value of vitamin c. I'm assuming my body is highly acidic. My dad tells me to try taking vitamin c in liquid form. Is it possible that this would prevent the breakouts?

Replied by Yvette
(Choctaw, Oklahoma)
09/27/2007

Response to Eve-Marlboro, MD -- I also had a reaction to vitamin c all my life. I was so sensitive I would eat an orange and breakout with rash in the back of my knees. I noticed you said your Dad was recommending a liquid supplement. I am taking a liquid all natural supplement. Have had no reactions at all. You are welcome to contact me.


Side Effects
Posted by Kula (Semarang, Indonesia) on 04/15/2007

vit c side effect: I had been consuming blended tomato, carrot and apple every morning (before breakfirst) since 2005 till last month. Lately I feel tight or cramp inside my neck. When I stopped those blended fruits, my throat/neck is OK.

Replied by Aelphabae
(Milton, Wi)
09/26/2012

Keep in mind tomatoes are part of the nightshade plant family and are actually TOXIC to humans. You woud have to eat a large amount to experience dramatic effects but it is shown to cause inflammation in the body in small doses... Generally you want to avoid tomatoes and other nightshade plants (eggplant, potatoes, etc)

Replied by Timh
(Louisville, Ky, Usa)
09/27/2012
2063 posts

I just happened to research this a little yesterday as I had a large portion of unpeeled potatoes night fore last and became major drowsy, totally lost libido, and slept way ahead of my usual bed-time. The cumulative affect of regular consumption of the nightshades causes calcium to become gated from normal ionic cell membrane channels causing weak bones, arthritis, etc. As for acute toxicity from the nightshade's Solanine, it looks like I did exactly what was necessary for poisoning. The skin of the potato, when exposed to light and warm temps, causes a rapid increase in Solanine content as a natural protector. This is noticed in the "greening" of the skin. The sprouts are also toxic. It is recommended to peel these "greened" potatoes and cook in veg oil NOT water (not sure about baking).


Side Effects
Posted by Wendy (Ontario, Canada) on 04/01/2007

One thing worth noting is what vitamin c is made from... my children and I cannot eat corn and would get headaches when we would consume sodium ascorbate. Then I learned it is typically derived from corn! You can find 'corn free' pure grade sodium ascorbate online. I lost my source in Toronto and have had to get it from the U.S. via internet. From my understanding it can be derived from corn, beets, cassava... that's all I've found out so far. The corn free variety does not give us headaches.



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