Vitamin C plays a crucial role in tissue growth and repair, wound healing and proper immune function. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes evidence that many people might have a mild deficiency of this nutrient but that a serious one is rare in the developed world. Low levels of this vitamin might contribute to the development of numerous conditions including but not limited to hypertension, cancer and hardening of the arteries. Supplementing might offer some therapeutic benefit for certain conditions, particularly if you have a deficiency, but not all purported uses for vitamin C supplements have strong scientific backing behind them. This vitamin is generally safe, but you should not use larger doses without talking to your doctor first.
General Dosing Guidelines
The University of Maryland Medical Center notes many health professionals recommend taking between 500 and 1,000 mg daily for general benefit. Research looking at vitamin C for specific conditions sometimes used higher doses, however. The center advises you to consult with your doctor before taking more than 1,000 mg daily.
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center reports research which found that your blood levels of vitamin C do not increase dramatically with larger doses and that you can only absorb about 200 mg a day. It notes, however, some flaws in this research -- such as failing to test the effect of taking the supplement several times a day rather than just once a day. It also did not measure vitamin C concentrations in other tissue. Some advocates of vitamin C have suggested extremely large doses of between 20 and 30 g a day but no evidence exists to suggest such doses offer any benefit.
Dosages for Specific Conditions
The University of Michigan Health System notes the following daily doses were used in studies looking at vitamin C for various conditions: for anemia, 150 to 250 mg, one or two times daily; for athletic performance and reducing injury, 400 mg to 3 g mg several days before and after your event; for bronchitis, 200 mg; for bruising, 400 to 800 mg; for capillary fragility, 1 g; for the common cold, 1 to 4 g; for gingivitis, 300 mg; for glaucoma, 2 g; and for reducing heart attack risk, 200 mg. Other suggested dosages include for high cholesterol, 1 g; for infection, 1 to 4 g; for male infertility, 1 g; for stress, 1 to 3 g; for wound healing, 1 to 3 g; for asthma, for 1 to 1.5 g; atherosclerosis: for 250 mg twice a day; for cataracts, 500 mg to 1 g; for female infertility, 750 mg; for gout: .5 to 8 g; for flu, 100 mg; for skin ulcers, 1 g; for sprains and strains, 250 to 500 mg with meals and at bedtime; for diabetes, 500 mg twice a day; and for hypertension, 1 g.
This does not constitute an exhaustive list of the potential conditions that might benefit from vitamin C supplementation. Talk to your doctor about an appropriate dose for your needs.
Tips
Divide your vitamin C dose into two or three doses throughout the day and take them with food. Vitamin C has diuretic effects so drink plenty of water and other fluids, especially if you are taking larger doses.
Caution in Certain Individuals
Do not use vitamin C supplements if you suffer from hemochromatosis, a condition that causes elevated iron levels. This vitamin increases iron absorption. Talk to your doctor before using vitamin C supplements if you suffer from kidney disease or have a history of kidney stones. The University of Michigan Health System cautions you about using vitamin C supplements if you have a history of kidney stones as vitamin C can convert to oxalate, a substance which crystallizes into stones. It notes research which suggests doses as small as 1 g daily can prove problematic.
Interactions
Some concern exists over the use of antioxidant supplements while undergoing chemotherapy. Talk to your oncologist about using vitamin C. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes doses up to 1 g daily do not appear to interfere with the actions of blood-thinning medications, but you should talk to your doctor before using any dose as even slight effects of supplements can require dosage adjustments to these types of drugs.
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