Is Vitamin C Safe For An Irritated Stomach?

Vitamin C is considered safe for an irritated stomach, but may not be recommended by your doctor. Vitamin C is not stored by the body, so if you consume more than your body needs, the vitamin is expelled in your urine. The reason the vitamin may not be recommended when you have an irritated stomach is because common side effects of the supplement are upset stomach, diarrhea and nausea, according to MedlinePlus. Before taking vitamin C to treat or prevent any medical condition, talk with your doctor.

Irritated Stomach

An irritated stomach is called dyspepsia. Most people occasionally have dyspepsia, with symptoms such as bloating, gas, abdominal pain and the feeling of fullness before finishing a meal, according to MayoClinic.com. Common causes of stomach irritation include overeating, eating too fast, eating spicy foods or foods that are high in fat, such as fried foods. If you develop dyspepsia symptoms regularly, you may have an ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease or gastroparesis.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an essential vitamin needed by the human body to repair and grow tissues in various parts of the body. The human body does not make vitamin C, which means your diet must supply it. Vitamin C is also high in antioxidants, which help eliminate free radical cells that can lead to heart disease, cancer and other illness, according to MedlinePlus. Taking vitamin C when your stomach is irritated may prolong your dyspepsia or make it worse. Drugs.com states that common side effects of taking large doses of vitamin C include gas, bloating, diarrhea and esophagitis.

Dietary Changes

If you have an upset stomach, call your doctor for an evaluation. It may help settle your stomach to stick to a liquid diet until diarrhea and nausea subside. As your symptoms improve, Virginia Tech recommends adding bland foods, such as white bread, bananas, apple sauce, crackers, white rice and white pasta. Maintain a bland food diet until your symptoms subside.

Considerations

An upset stomach may be a sign of a medical condition, such as flu, food poisoning or gastritis. These conditions may require more medical treatment than a change in diet. Do not use vitamin C or any other acidic supplement or food if you have gastritis symptoms. Contact your doctor.