Your body needs vitamin C to help create collagen, which is found in your skin, scar tissue and ligaments. It also functions as an antioxidant, helping prevent damage from free radicals. tamin C also plays an important role in the synthesis of the neurotransmitter, norepinephrine, which affects mood. While vitamin C is essential to good health, in certain circumstances, high supplemental doses can cause problems.
Upper Limit
An tolerable upper intake level, or UL, is recommended to avoid toxicity due to high dosing with vitamins C supplements. Children ages 1 to 3 should get no more than 400 mg of supplemental vitamin C per day, while those ages 4 to 8 should get no more than 650 mg per day. Children ages 9 to 13 should get no more than 1,200 mg per day, while those ages 14 to 18 should get no more than 1,800 mg per day. Adults should limit their vitamin C intake to a maximum of 2,000 mg per day, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements by the National Institutes of Health. Always consult a physician before offering a child vitamin supplements.
Toxicity
In most cases, your body is able to eliminate excess vitamin C from your system harmlessly, which is why the UL is so high. Significantly elevated levels of vitamin C in your system is known as vitamin C toxicity, which is quite rare. Symptoms of toxicity include diarrhea and gastrointestinal disturbances. However, such symptoms are generally not serious and resolve once high-dose vitamin C supplementation is reduced.
Hemochromatosis
Hemochromatosis is a health condition characterized by excess absorption and storage of iron from your diet. It can potentially lead to heart and liver disease. Individuals who suffer from this condition should be particularly careful not to overconsume vitamin C, since vitamin C excess can further escalate the problems caused by hemochromatosis, potentially leading to more significant organ damage.
Sources
Vitamin C toxicity is caused by excessive consumption of vitamin C supplements. Adult males require only 90 mg of vitamin C per day, while adult women require only 75 mg. You can meet your vitamin C requirements by consuming a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. For example, only 3/4 cup of orange juice can contain over 90 mg of vitamin C. One cup of whole strawberries contains 85 mg of vitamin C, and 1 cup of chopped sweet red peppers contains 190 mg.
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