8 Vitamin C Benefits (and Some Common Side Effects)

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Side Effects
Posted by Don (Perth Western Australia) on 05/22/2006

High dose vitamin C caused my magnesium level to fall drastically. After taking high vit C for two months, I finished up in the emergency ward having defibrillation to correct severe atrial fibrillation brought on by low magnesium. Please add this warning to your advice pages, thanks.

Side Effects
Posted by jacqueline (el segundo, california) on 09/10/2007

One of your writers stated that while on mega doses of vitamin C he landed himself in the hospital for an imbalance of other minerals. However, he does not say what he considered a mega dose. NOR does he mention how long he had been taking this 'mega dose'. Some people think that anything over the RDA is a mega dose. I read about a doctor/researcher who would give up to 200 milligrams per day. I, myself just finished taking 3 teaspoons/12,000 milligrams AND yet another guy, that just posted here, stated that a mere 5,000-10,000 milligrams a day are helping a woman who has (what doctors had told her was) terminal lung cancer. He thinks these are mega doses. So again, what is 'considered' a mega dose?


Side Effects
Posted by DarenM (Trenton, MI) on 02/02/2009

I too experienced something like the above post in my case it was very odd and scary palpitations. After going to the doctor several times and being in the emergency room more than once I lowered the C and things started to get better. I had EKG's performed and wore a halter monitor but of course over the 24 hours period I wore the monitor nothing happened. I found more information on the internet about this before but I can't remember where. At the time of problem I was taking 5-15 grams a day of chewable sodium ascorbate with 1 gram of sugar in it (unfortunately). I now take 2-6 grams a day of pure powder ascorbic acid and I always try to take it with a meal and a cookie. :) In addition I supplement with 250mg-600mg of magnesium.

Jacqueline do you mean 200 grams? 200 milligrams is not that much.
"read about a doctor/researcher who would give up to 200 milligrams per day"


Pain
Posted by Uncertain (La) on 06/21/2020

How do you choose a biomedical practitioner?


Side Effects
Posted by John (Mt. Pleasant, Mi) on 11/13/2015

I've been taking chewable vitamin C for about two weeks and got a sore about a week ago.


Lypospheric Vitamin C
Posted by Robert Henry (Ten Mile , Tn. ) on 07/05/2014

HI U TIMH, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Thank your for responding. Few realize how important this process is. I am starting with Vit C, but know I must go to Gluthathione and others.

As you know, I's not PC . I cannot tolerate ignorance, and this site has a bunch takers. I appreciate the bosses allowing me to express my mind.

I have already made my stuff and will venture further. I have spent a fortune doing IV's and now we have a Liposperic and it is far more effective and for pennies.

Give me a break. =====OLE R H===


Lypospheric Vitamin C
Posted by Robert Henry (Ten Mile , Tn. ) on 07/06/2014

HI U TIMH, , , , , , , , ,

I am a novice at this and have only made one batch of Vit C. I have read of glutathione and Alpha Liopic Acid and some say they can all be combined. Do you know if that is so and how is that done? The internet sites are not specific. Everyone is scared of Big Brother so you have to read between the lines. Is this a sick way to live or what?

As a freshman at Ga Tech in '54 we had to read the book 1984 and it is all coming to past. Nobody trusts nobody. The novel has arrived. I am just glad that I am on the shady side of the mountain and regret that the youngsters will reap the rewards of what our lack of courage has done to them.

End of rant.==OLE ROBERT HENRY===


Lypospheric Vitamin C
Posted by Robert Henry (Ten Mile, Tn) on 07/07/2014

HI U TIMH, , , , , , , , , as you know I've been into alternative stuff for 10 years or so, but new to Lyposperic . This is truly fascinating to me because these are products are difficult to get into your system orally . For instance, magnesium. If I do that orally then I camp in the John for a day or so. I take the MIT brand and do transdermal spraying before my FIR saunas. Oh, after my crushed vertebrae last Feb, my lymph system is in the dog house so my feet and ankles are always swollen, so I also skin brush before my morning ritual. Learned that skin brushing is a science in itself. It is all gentle and toward your heart. I had it all wrong for many years.

Here is my question. Vit C is a great anti-oxidant as all know. Glutathione can cross the blood brain barrier so that is what my integrative doctor recommends for his Alzheimers and dementia patients. He has done wonders with it, but it is expensive. I presume you do the reduced product. Prior to learning of Lypospheric we did the IV and the suppository. Taking Glutathione orally is a waste of time and money.

You say you mix both Vit C and Glutathione together in your lypo mixture. For my Vit C , I mix two tbsp with one cup of distilled warm water ; next I take 6 tbsp of Soy Lecithin with two cups of distilled warm water. Put them in a blender and mix for a minute and then put them in the jewelry cleaner for 8 minutes and constantly stir. Refrigerate and take 2 tbsps 2 or 3 times a day.

How would you modify this procedure and add Glutathione ? Will dance at your next wedding if you can help me. I was the medicine man in the Boy Scouts Order of the Arrow and did the Fire Dance to begin the ceremony . Also did a mean beach Shag as a Frat boy back in the 50's, so we can boogie with the best at Myrtle Beach.

Thanks for your help.

===OLE ROBERT HENRY==========


Lypospheric Vitamin C
Posted by Rsw (Uniontown, Oh) on 07/07/2014

Hi Robert Henry,

Just a quick comment.... When I made liposomal Vit C, I used powdered sunflower lecithin to avoid any problems with soy. Seemed to work well.


Lypospheric Vitamin C
Posted by Hope (Sacramento, CA) on 07/07/2014

Hi - For magnesium, I recommend Dr Carolyn Dean's Remag, as it is picometer size and does not cause digestive problems. I have tried many magnesium supplements and this is the only one that made a big difference and that my body resonated with......it works


Lypospheric Vitamin C
Posted by Robert Henry (Ten Mile, Tn. ) on 07/21/2014

HI U TIMH, , , , , , Just a note to let you know that I have completed my first batch and am excited to be able to do this at home instead of doing the 2+ hour expensive IV's in a doctor's office.

Have located a supplier of R Alpha Liopic Acid, so I'm in high cotton. Soon the natural folks will have a simple cancer cure. There are cancer cures now, but they are not so simple. Mine took 7 months, but I am not fussing.

While making this batch, the ultrasonic cleaner gave off so many EMFs that I had difficulty listening to Limbaugh on the radio. Guess that means that at 78, I am now sterile. That is good news for my 73 year old wife. She's been nervous lately. Bull.

====OLE ROBERT HENRY========


Gene-Altered Vitamin C
Posted by Jay ( Fl) on 05/15/2014
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

All manufacturers of Vitamin C / ascorbic acid are GMO produced. See http://www.organicconsumers.org/Organic/vitccontro.cfm

Gene-Altered Vitamin C
Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 05/16/2014

Hi Jay,

Thanks for the link!

I have ascorbic acid powder made by Nutribiotic. My bottle says it is non-gmo. I checked the article you sent and it didn't mention Nutribiotic one way or the other.

I don't know if this means that the article isn't completely accurate or if it means that manufacturers are not completely honest. I don't know if anyone has researched this further and has any more thoughts on it? Chemistry is not my strength, though I have often wished I had paid better attention now that it would be useful at times!

~Mama to Many~


Liposomal Vitamin C
Posted by Ayesha (Mumbai, India) on 09/10/2013

Hello

I read a lot about liposomal vitamin c and its benefits. So I prepared it with soy lecithin and had it for 15 days. But my allergies increased and then I realised it may be due to soy lecithin. I am also estrogen dominant. So I stopped using soy lecithin. So anyone can please suggest me another kind of lecithin which does not increase estrogen. I heard about sunflower lecithin too. But I don't know whether it is estrogenic like soy. It is of great help to me if some one can enlighten me regarding this preparation of liposomal vitamin C.

Ayesha

Liposomal Vitamin C
Posted by Timh (Ky, Usa) on 09/11/2013 2041 posts

After many yrs of somewhat extreme environmental illness, I finally got the goods for Lipo C and had my first dose yesterday. I could actually feel the C doing it's magic. Although Dr Levine spells a good case for all manner of illnesses treated successfully w/ Lipo C, it appears that I will also need to experiment w/ Liposomal Encapsulated Glutathione as well as Liposomal ALA. At present I am very limited in function and desperate for some improvement and am much hopeful that this Liposome Technology is the antidote. Will update the progress.


Liposomal Vitamin C
Posted by Rsw (Uniontown, Oh) on 09/11/2013

Best wishes, Timh! I hope this does the trick for you and you start feeling well and healing soon. Am going to try your Glutimine suggestion and have posted it on another site for others to see. I hope some of the good karma you send out with your interest in helping others and thoughtful suggestions comes back to you and heals your body and soul. Thanks!


Liposomal Vitamin C
Posted by Timh (Ky, Usa) on 09/13/2013 2041 posts

Thanks back at you Rsw, you are a big supporter here by way of info and encouragement. One good aspect on the path of hardship is finding out who is and who isn't a friend.

*correction* on above post. Dr. Levy NOT Levine.


Liposomal Vitamin C
Posted by Nickie (London Uk) on 11/13/2014

Thank you for this Bess in Calgary. I was about to go looking for an ultrasonic cleaner but after watching this video I'm going to try his version first. I checked his site and the only thing he's selling is a vit C skin serum so he's not one of those merchants trying to hook you into monthly shipments at $30 a throw.

I hope Rsw caught the difference between Glutathione and Glutamine.

Nickie


Liposomal Vitamin C
Posted by Heinz (Tampa, Florida) on 11/23/2014

Nickie,

As you look around for an ultrasonic cleaner, perhaps what I learned will be of help. Many cleaners shut off at three minutes. I would avoid those as they're not made to run continuously for 20 to 30 minutes at a time. Also, most small ultrasound units don't have a removable tank. The transducer is attached to the tank like a coil to a loudspeaker cone. On your smaller units, the entire machine must be picked up and tilted to pour out the contents. There's no pouring lip so pouring can be messy. When pouring your mixture from the cleaner, pour quickly into a wide container or bowl. Then pour from there into your storage container. Also, the timer indicates how durable the unit is. Mine is only a 35 Watt unit with a variable timer that runs up to 8 minutes. I sometimes have to process the lecithin for half an hour per batch. To keep the level in the tank around inch deep, as recommended, on a small unit like mine, that means splitting the batch into two. Run one batch of 6 to 8 ounces for half an hour, then let the cleaner cool for at least half an hour, then run your second batch. The small units are not meant to run for long periods of time. Low power units have to run longer and at a shallower depth to make good liposomal C. In my opinion, both units from Harbor Freight that are mentioned in the Bradley recipes are of too low a wattage. They will burn out sooner because you have to process longer than they were designed for.

Amazon now offers a 1.4 liter 60 watt unit with a 30 minute timer which leads me to think it's more durable than most low power units. If I had a choice today that is what I'd buy. Around $58 including shipping.

On larger units, a tank is filled with water and the container with the lecithin in it is set in that. Heavy duty ultrasound units have heaters built in, jewelry cleaners don't. Watch the temperature, warm is good, hot is not. If your unit has a heater and the solution starts to get too warm, place your container in an ice bath to cool it down so you can keep processing it in one operation.

I wish you great success,

Heinz


Side Effects
Posted by A. Smith (Texas, US) on 10/05/2014

What you are probably experiencing, is the detox effect. The Vitamin C is 'cleaning' you out and getting rid of the toxins which is probably why you are feeling tired. My suggestions are to either work thru the detox effect or lower your dose then slowly work back up.


Lypospheric Vitamin C
Posted by Rsw (Uniontown, Oh) on 04/10/2013

I make my own lyposomal Vit C with an inexpensive ultrasonic jewelry cleaner.

  • Mix together in a blender: 1 cup distilled or RO water, and 3 Tbls. sunflower lecithin (I avoid soy but it can also be used).
  • Blend until dissolved.
  • Mix together: 1/2 Cup water with 1 Tbls. powdered pure vitamin C and add to blender.
  • Blend again.
  • Pour into the sonic cleaner for 6 to 10, 3 minute rounds, (total of 18-30 minutes until no more or just a little foam remains on top) stirring with a straw or plastic spoon slowly to move the mixture around.
  • The longer it is in the sonic cleaner, the more encapsulation will occur.
  • Store in the refrigerator.
  • (Some instructions include baking soda for a more alkaline solution. )


Side Effects
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.


Lypospheric Vitamin C
Posted by Carly (Seattle, Wa - Usa) on 10/20/2012

Thanks for the heads up Wayseeker. I have read Linus Paulings books in the past, and found them very informative. I "googled" The Healing Factor and read the book you suggested by Irwin Stone.

The timing for me to read about Vitamin C again couldn't have been any better. The day before your post I had had a fever of 102 and was feeling like total DEATH. I NEVER get fevers, not ever, so this was total trauma for me... Body aches, shivers, joint pain... even my skin hurt! It was awful.

I started drinking "Emergen-C" in bottled water at the rate of one an hour (maybe a bit more) and over that day I had 10 packets. Each packet has 1, 000mg of vitamin C. I was going to take it until I got diarrhea, but that never happened. What DID happen was that I GOT OUT OF BED THE NEXT DAY! It was truly amazing. I thought I was going to die, and the next day I am out of bed? I credit it all to the high dose of vitamin C that I ingested over those critical 10 hours. Apparently I never even reached my saturation point, as I never had diarrhea.... Theory says I could have taken even more of it!

I have always believed in Vitamin C.... But had "only" been taking about one pack of the Emergen-c a day lately. What I took away from reading the book you suggested by Irwin Stone is that if humans were still able to produce their own vitamin C as almost every other mammal does (with exception of the apes and guinea pigs of course) that we would be producing between 3-5 grams a day! I now intend to take at least three grams of C (in divided doses) a day to keep my body saturated!

So much information on all of the benefits of C in his book.... Just a fascinating read. It was very nice of his family to allow it to be put online for free.

Much gratitude to them, and to you for suggesting it!


Lypospheric Vitamin C
Posted by Wayseeker (Modesto, Ca/ Usa) on 10/21/2012

Hi Carly--So glad you are such a quick-healing miracle! --T.


Side Effects
Posted by Jon (Othello, Wa, Usa) on 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.


Excitotoxins in Vitamin C
Posted by Alan (Glastonbury, Uk) on 04/21/2012

WARNING!

I have tried to follow Ted's advice for Parkinson's sufferers by taking Methylene Blue and Soluble Vitamin C.

I was only able to obtain Effervescent vit C, and my palette told me that it contained saccharin. Eventually, I got around to reading - with the aid of a magnifying glass - the ingrediants list, and was horrified to find that under the subheading of 'Sweetener' was listed, Saccharin, Sorbitol, and ASPARTAME - an acknowleged nuro-toxine, and dangerous to PD sufferes, among others.

The supplier, I trusted, and was Holland & Barett. However, they are not alone in selling this product - several other outlets also sell the 'contaminated' effervescent Vit C - listing the same 3 sweeteners, but in different orders (highest content is first, etc.)

Now starts the epic search of the net for another product - I have already been offered "Sugar Free" (Aspartame loaded) products from reputable suppliers.

Wish me luck, and Thanks, Ted

Alan.

Excitotoxins in Vitamin C
Posted by Alan (Glastonbury, Uk) on 05/03/2012

Hi Fabricio, Sorry for not replying earlier. I have located pure Ascorbic Acid - from Holland & Barrett, would you believe!!! a 170g bottle for 6. Needs only 1/4 teaspoonful to give a tad over 1000mg. I disolve the crystals in tepid water to ensure complete disolution, adding cold water, then the Methylene Blue.

Thanks for your interest.

Regards, Alan


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?


Interactions
Posted by Broken Hearted (Kansas City, Missouri,usa.) on 09/06/2011

This post is for PHYSICIST GARY WADE and Bill Thompson from San Fernando, Luzon, Philippines or anyone who has the answer.

Hello, physicist Gary Wade, I read your recommendation on the treatment of lipid coated viruses with BHT.. , and I was interested, because I wish to use it to treat a highly resistant and difficult to treat hcv. As a result, I am reading other articles. One article said that vit. C should be taken with some sodium bicarbonate to reduce its acidity; some other article opposes this view, saying that sodium bicarbonate reduces the absorption of vit. C, but in your recommendation, you were silent in this. As a result, I am not taking the issue of NaHCO3 seriously.

My main reason of writing this, is what I read on the negative effects of high doses of vit. c on the following minerals:

CALCIUM, NICKEL, COPPER, ZINC, MANGANESE.

This article said that high doses of vit. C reduces these minerals in the body. In case of calcium, this mineral becomes removed from the bones, causing them to be brittle and easy to break.

Please, I request Physicist Gary Wade and Bill Thompson to address this issue, which is troubling. Please, any other person who has the answer can also address the issue. I will delay my treatment with BHT until I read people's opinions on the issue I have raised, because vit. c is a major component of Physicist Gary Wade's course of treatment with BHT.

Also, I wish to know if I can take the following: Silymarin, Methylsulfonylmethane, Selenium, Magnesium, Calcium Citrate, Potessium Iodide during treatment with BHT, and what can be regarded as the needed daily dosage, considering the daily usage of 8grams of vit.c.

Also, in a difficult case as the hcv that I have, can I add Oil of Oregano to my treatment? Will there be drug interaction that will be harmful to me or that will reduce the effect of the BHT?

I thank you all that will contribute your knowledge to give informed answers to these concerns.

May GOD bless you all.

Vitamin C Wonders
Posted by Caessence (Eureka, Ca, Usa) on 01/15/2012

Bill, I loved your advice - only one thing, you failed to mention that Genetically Modified Organisms are used to make ascorbate acid. It is made during a fermentation process using corn or a derivative and ascorbate acid is also made synthetically. 85% of corn is GMO. And the only way to find out the beginning sources of ingredients is to call and ask the companies. Most will say they TRY to buy non-GMO corn derived ascorbate acid and only say that their suppliers certify that it is non-GMO. For this reason I prefer dried sour cherry powder or rose hips powder, that I can add to water and consume. The dried citrus peel sounds good too. Only buy ascorbate acid from companies that at least get a certificate from the supplier that says it comes from a non-GMO source more likely from China. Although, China does not have a good tract record for honesty and integrity when it comes to what they are actually selling you.

Remember to buy non-GMO foods and especially supplements, you will be very surprised that there are a great deal of GMOs in nutritional supplements. The suppliers have no shame, it is up to you to call and put pressure on these companies. If it means you won't buy from them because of GMOs then they will quickly get the message. I call all my supplement and food companies and let them know and guess what, they are listening to little old me. Why because it means dollars, we having buying power.

Support the Right To Know labeling going on in California and soon in other states too.


Vitamin C Wonders
Posted by Karen (Texas) on 10/22/2015

The irony is that Linus Pauling died from cancer.


How to Make Sodium Ascorbate
Posted by Lis (Ny, Usa) on 11/03/2010

That was an old rumor. Sodium ascorbate (the alkaline form of vitamin C) is made by mixing two parts sodium ascorbate (an acidic form of vitamin C) with one part baking soda (aka sodium bicarbonate -- which neutralizes the acidity). "*One mole of sodium bicarbonate is 84 grams, and one mole of ascorbic acid is 176 grams. So, the correct (stoichiometric) ratio of sodium bicarbonate to ascorbic acid is 84/176 = 0. 477. For example, it would take 477 milligrams of sodium bicarbonate to neutralize 1000 milligrams of ascorbic acid. "
Source: www.quantumbalancing.com/liposomalC.html

I have seen some places use more baking soda and that's fine.


How to Make Sodium Ascorbate
Posted by Cordell (Saint John , Nb Canada) on 02/16/2010

It is easy to make alkaline vitamin C, also known as Sodium Ascorbate. Simply buy vitamin C powder (usually as Ascorbic Acid). About 1/4 teaspoon of this is equal to 1gram. So to make it sodium ascorbate mix with this about 1/4 of Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda), and half a cup, or so, of water. Stir it around until the crystals dissolve and the fizzing stops. And, now you have 1gram of Sodium Ascorbate; and alkaline form of Vitamin 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?

Side Effects
Posted by Ron (Emporia, Kansas) on 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.


Ted's Feedback on Vitamin C
Posted by Flip Novice (North of the Mason-Dixon Line) on 10/27/2020

Has anyone tried these antiviral remedies from Ted on covid?


Ted's Feedback on Vitamin C
Posted by Ron (Emporia, Kansas) on 12/25/2009

Hi Rahul,

If you are 20 and you've had polio since your were 5, then Dr. Klennar's approach might not help you. In the late 1940s when polio was out of control here in the U.S., Dr. Klennar had success with about 60 cases of Early Stage Polio using high doses of vitamin C. Vitamin C was given by injection and by mouth.

The name of the article where I got this information is: The Origin of the 42-Year Stonewall of Vitamin C by Robert Landwehr

http://www.orthomolecular.org/library/jom/1991/pdf/1991-v06n02-p099.pdf

I did a study a couple years ago for a local friend of mine who is in his 70s and was a polio victim at the age of 20. The only thing I found that might help was Co-enzyme C-10. It is based on this study.

12 patients...7-69 years...all with types of muscle dystrophies...100mg/day for 3 months...a 2nd trial of 15 patients was similar. "Definitely improved physical performance was recorded. In retrospect, a dosage of 100 mg was too low although effective and safe. Patients suffering from these muscle dystrophies and the like, should be treated with vitamin Q10 indefinitely."

(by K. Folkers, the Merck researcher who has done the most research on Q10)

The title of the article:

"Two successful double-blind trials with coenzyme Q10 (vitamin Q10) on muscular dystrophies and
neurogenic atrophies"... Folkers K., Simonsen R....from PubMed

You can type the title of the article into your search engine and the article will come up.


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!

Side Effects
Posted by Kate (London, Uk) on 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?


Side Effects
Posted by Bill (San Fernando, Luzon, Philippines) on 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.


How to Make Sodium Ascorbate
Posted by Lilydy (Alice Springs, Australia) on 09/14/2009

Hi I just want to ask if anyone has an idea how to make your own sodium ascorbate? I read somewhere about mixing equal amount of baking soda and ascorbic acid, is this correct? Any suggestion will be appreciated as it is expensive here to buy the commercial ones. Thanks.

How to Make Sodium Ascorbate
Posted by Bessie (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) on 09/16/2009

In response to Lilydy's question about making Sodium Ascorbate - I was told to use twice the amount of Vitamin C powder to baking soda (example, 1 teaspoon of Vitamin C powder mixed with 1/2 teaspoon baking soda). If you mix it with water, it will fizz up so just add a bit of water, wait until the fizzing stops and then add more water. Be careful not to take too much all at once, though. It can upset your stomach! Hope this helps.


How to Make Sodium Ascorbate
Posted by Lilydy (Alice Springs, Australia) on 10/13/2009

Thanks for your suggestion Bessie. Thanks also to Joyce from Joelton,TN who was very accommodating with her response via email. So far I have tried 10% baking soda to 90% ascorbic acid combination based on the ratio I observed in a lot of commercial sodium ascorbate. So for example, for 1 tsp of baking soda, I mix this with 9 tsp ascorbic acid. From this, I use 1 tsp of the mix in one or half a glass of water or juice. So far I don't have any issue of diarrhea from taking such combination. I take twice a day for days that I need more immunity.


How to Make Sodium Ascorbate
Posted by Tomas (Vancouver, Bc) on 04/23/2014

Hi, I watched the YouTube video: Deirdre Layne presents Sodium Ascorbate with interest. It was good to find out that I can save 20% of the cost of my buffered vitamin C by doing it myself with baking soda. But, in the middle of the video Deirdre mentions that the solution dissolves better with Hot water. Question, isn't Hot water going to denature the vitamin C? Thanks, Tomas


Side Effects
Posted by Rosy (Orlando, Fl) on 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.


Side Effects
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn.) on 02/01/2009 489 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.


Side Effects
Posted by Dianna (Austin, TX) on 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


Side Effects
Posted by Earth Clinic (USA) on 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!


Side Effects
Posted by Renate (Parrish, FL, USA) on 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.


Side Effects
Posted by Franklin (Vancouver, BC, Canada) on 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.


Side Effects
Posted by Dianna (Austin, TX) on 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 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.



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