Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an essential ingredient for the proper functioning of the body. Usually, this ingredient is supplemented through healthy foods. However, in the case of a severe deficiency, a multivitamin can be prescribed. Currently, ascorbic acid products are also used as an adjunct therapy in the prevention and treatment of many different diseases.
Table of Contents
What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin and an important role for human health. However, the body can not produce this ingredient, but can only synthesize through some foods such as oranges, lemons, tangerines, strawberries, grapes, broccoli, potatoes, tomatoes, …
Therefore, if you do not eat in moderation, the body is very susceptible to vitamin C deficiency. A deficiency of ascorbic acid can slow healing of the wound, weaken resistance, increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis , inflammation. Chronic joints and Scurvy (the typical disease when vitamin C deficiency is manifested by subcutaneous bleeding, root bleeding, swelling of the joints, loose teeth, etc.).
Conversely, an excess of vitamin C can cause an accumulation in the kidneys leading to oxalate or urate stones. In addition, this condition can also cause a number of adverse symptoms such as digestive disorders, loose digestion, and decreased red blood cell strength. Therefore, the appropriate vitamin C supplement for the body is very necessary.
What is vitamin C used for?
As mentioned, vitamin C is one of the essential vitamins for human health. Many studies are carried out showing that, ascorbic acid participates in almost all living activities and affects many organs in the body.
Some of the effects of vitamin C include:
- Enhance immunity: Vitamin C plays an important role in the body’s immune function by stimulating the activity of immune cells, fighting antioxidants and protecting cells from damage caused by damage. free radicals. Therefore, people with vitamin C deficiency are susceptible to infections, slow healing of wounds and ulcers.
- Improve skin health, cartilage and joints: Vitamin C is involved in the production of collagen – a special protein capable of binding cells in the body. Collagen helps skin elastic, minimizes wrinkles, stretches shine and healthy. At the same time, maintain the flexibility, the ability to reduce friction and the force of cartilage tissue.
- Slow down the aging process: Not only participating in the living activities of the body, vitamin C also has antioxidant effects and free radicals. With this mechanism, ascorbic acid has the ability to protect cells, minimize damage caused by free radicals and slow down the aging process.
- Vision maintenance: Over time, vision tends to decline due to age-related macular degeneration. However, with vitamin C supplementation, this process can occur more slowly and help the elderly maintain vision for long periods of time. In addition, regular vitamin C supplementation also limits other eye problems such as cataracts.
- Good for pregnant mothers and fetuses: Pregnant women are encouraged to supplement with vitamin C during pregnancy to ensure the health of pregnant mothers and help the fetus develop comprehensively. In addition, vitamin C also helps pregnant mothers limit inflammatory diseases, reduce fatigue and avoid anemia. At the same time, it promotes the development of the fetus and reduces the risk of abortion.
- Some other benefits: Vitamin C also offers other benefits such as increasing iron absorption, improving hair and nails, helping to prevent chronic inflammatory diseases related to free radicals, and support for prevention. metabolic disorder,…
Contraindications – Contraindications
Currently, vitamin C is used in the case of vitamin C deficiency (Scurvy) or for those who need to supplement ascorbic acid such as:
- Pregnant women
- Woman after labor
- Infants, small children
In addition, vitamin C is also used as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of the following diseases:
- Osteoarthritis
- Colds, flu and respiratory infections
- Chronic or infectious skin diseases
- People with iron deficiency anemia (vitamin C helps increase iron absorption)
- People with macular degeneration or other age-related diseases
- People with immunodeficiency due to many different causes
- Hemolytic anemia
Despite its many health benefits, vitamin C is only an aid in the prevention and treatment of medical conditions. So besides ascorbic acid, the doctor will prescribe more specific treatment drugs. In fact, vitamin C is very widely used. The above information covers only the most common indications. If you intend to use ascorbic acid for other purposes, please contact your doctor for specific advice.
High dose vitamin C is contraindicated for the following subjects:
- Thalassema disease (due to vitamin C increases iron absorption)
- People with oxalate metabolism disorders or hyper oxalateuria (vitamin C may increase the risk of kidney stones)
- People with a deficiency of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6DP) (increases the risk of hemolytic anemia)
- People with a history of kidney stones
Dosage forms – content of vitamin C
Vitamin C is available in various forms such as oral tablets, effervescent tablets, syrups and injections. In particular, the injectable form is only used by medical personnel. If treating at home, the drug should only be used in the form of a syrup, effervescent tablet or oral tablet.
Common dosage forms and content of vitamin C:
- Oral capsule: 500mg
- Oral Tablets: 100mg, 250mg, 500mg, 1000mg, 1500mg
- Chewable Tablets: 500mg, 1000mg, 1500mg
- Siro: 100mg/ ml, 500mg/ ml
Currently, there are many vitamin C supplements on the market. Therefore, before using, you should read the ingredients sheet carefully to know the exact content of ascorbic acid and add the correct dosage.
Dosage of vitamin C for children and adults
The need for vitamin C supplements varies with each specific age. On average, children under 6 months old need 25mg vitamin C / day, children 6 months – 6 years old need 30mg / day, kids 7-9 years old need 35mg vitamin C / day, kids 10-18 years old need 65mg / day. day. Meanwhile, adults need 70mg / day and pregnant and lactating women need about 80 – 90mg vitamin C / day.
Therefore, the dose of vitamin C supplements will be adjusted according to age, health condition and diet. However, the body does not completely synthesize the tolerated vitamin C, but only absorbs about 30-50%. Therefore, the amount of vitamin C added must be more than 2-3 times the actual need.
Recommended dosage:
- Children from 1-3 years old: Supplement 400mg / day
- Children from 4 – 8 years old: Use 650mg / day
- Children 9-13 years old: Use 1200mg / day
- Children from 14-18 years old: Use 1800mg / day
- People aged 19 and older: Can use 1800-2000mg / day
The above dosage is for reference only. Please contact your therapist for dosage adjustment according to age and health condition.
In addition to ensure the effectiveness and extent of vitamin C absorption, you should carefully read the instructions and use the correct dosage form. Improper use can reduce the amount of vitamin C absorbed, leading to a decrease in the effectiveness of disease prevention and treatment.
Some notes when supplementing vitamin C
Unlike vitamin C found in natural foods, synthetic vitamin C can cause some side effects if used incorrectly. So before supplementing with ascorbic acid products, you should pay attention to the following issues:
1. Caution
Use vitamin C according to the indicated dosage, absolutely do not overdose or adjust dosage by yourself. Research shows that overdose of vitamin C in pregnant women can cause scurvy in the newborn and increase the risk of kidney stone formation.
To limit the risk of oxalate stone build-up, vitamin C should be taken in the morning and at noon. At the same time should drink plenty of water, limit acidic foods, supplement with green vegetables and alkaline pH mineral water.
If not absolutely necessary, vitamin C should be supplemented through the diet instead of using synthetic products.
Absolutely do not arbitrarily use vitamin C at home by injection. This dosage form is mainly used for medical treatment in necessary cases (sepsis).
Pregnant women and nursing mothers should consult their doctor before taking vitamin C supplements. Although there are many benefits to pregnant women, pregnant women, and the fetus, improper use of vitamin C can increases the risk and generates undesirable effects.
If you are taking high doses of vitamin C, you should not stop taking it suddenly because adverse symptoms such as fatigue, blue spots or red spots around hair follicles and root bleeding may appear.
Vitamin C is well absorbed on an empty stomach. Therefore, should be used 30 minutes before eating or about 2 hours after eating.
2. Side effects
Vitamin C in therapeutic doses rarely causes side effects – except for a few high-risk subjects.
Common side effects:
- Increased urinary oxalate
Uncommon side effects:
- Headache, fatigue, dizziness, and fainting
- Heart failure, flushing
- Hemolytic anemia
- Diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, and vomiting
- Side pain
When you notice the above side effects, you should inform your doctor for advice on how to fix. Absolutely do not stop smoking – especially when taking high doses of vitamin C.
3. Drug Interactions
Vitamin C in synthetic form may interact with some of the following drugs:
- Iron: Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron through the intestines and stomach.
- Aspirin: Simultaneous use increases the excretion of vitamin C and reduces the urinary clearance of aspirin.
- Vitamin B12: Using high doses of vitamin C can destroy vitamin B12. To avoid this, vitamin C should be taken before or after taking vitamin B12 for at least 1 hour.
- Fluphenazin: Vitamin C reduces the drug concentration of Fluphenazin in plasma.
Vitamin C changes the acidity of the urine, which may affect the secretory activity of other drugs. In addition to the ability to interact with drugs, the presence of vitamin C in the urine affects the results of some tests. Therefore, it is advisable to inform health-care professionals about vitamin C use to avoid testing false positive or negative results.
4. Overdose
An overdose of vitamin C can cause diarrhea, stomach pain , nausea, and the formation of kidney stones. When you notice unusual symptoms or you have detected an overdose of the drug, please contact your doctor immediately for action.
Vitamin C is one of the essential ingredients for the body. However, if it’s not absolutely necessary, you should only get vitamin C through healthy foods. In case of contraindications to using a product containing ascorbic acid, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the prescription of the doctor.
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