Vitamin C Overdose - Symptoms and Consequences

Vitamin C is a vital substance, without which the normal functioning of all internal organs and systems is impossible. He takes part in many life support processes, and also helps to increase the body's defenses.

In women, this element affects the course of menstruation. It is used for treatment and prevention to improve the body's resistance to the influence of negative factors. But any medicine, including ascorbic acid, seemingly harmless at first glance, is forbidden to be taken uncontrollably. This can lead to dangerous health problems. An overdose of vitamin C can cause intoxication.

What are the benefits of vitamin C?

Vitamin C is an important element involved in many processes that occur in the body. A deficiency of this element can cause adverse effects. Almost everyone knows that a lack of vitamin C can trigger the development of scurvy, a dangerous disease that can make a person disabled. In the human body, this substance is not produced. It comes only with products, mostly vegetable - vegetables, fruits, herbs.

Vitamin C performs the following actions:

• regulation of carbohydrate metabolism;
• improving permeability and strengthening the walls of capillaries;
• participation in the production of steroid hormones;
• restoration and strengthening of immunity;
• regulation of collagen production;
• strengthening teeth and bones;
• help the body in the absorption of other vitamins;
• participation in the regulation of blood coagulation.

In what cases is an overdose and how to prevent it

An overdose of vitamin C is possible only in the following situations:

1. Uncontrolled use of the drug. In most cases, this happens with children who are attracted by the appearance of the tablets, and they drink them without thinking about the consequences.
2. The simultaneous intake of vitamins and eating foods that contain a large amount of ascorbic acid.
3. Abuse of vitamin complexes taken in autumn and winter.

A phenomenon such as chronic overdose is also considered frequent. However, the clinical manifestations of this condition are not pronounced.

To prevent the occurrence of an overdose of vitamin C, medicines must be stored in places where children cannot reach them. In addition, you need to monitor your diet. In autumn and winter, the daily menu should include a sufficient amount of fresh vegetables and fruits.

Before taking any vitamins, you should definitely consult a doctor.

Precautions While Using Ascorbic Acid

The use of vitamin C with strict adherence to the dosage recommended by the doctor causes side effects in extremely rare cases. But we must not forget that there are categories of patients who need to take this drug with great care. The dose for them is calculated individually.

The consequences of exceeding the dose of ascorbic acid may occur in the following situations:

• disorders of the genitourinary system;
• pregnancy (at any time);
• high blood pressure;
• the need to follow a salt diet;
• thrombosis;
• diabetes.

People who are addicted to alcohol and cigarettes require a high dosage of this element. The constant supply of vitamin C in the body of a person who does not suffer from any disease is about two grams, while those who have bad habits, it is almost completely absent.

How much Vitamin C can be consumed per day

To prevent the development of vitamin deficiency per day, 30-50 mg of ascorbic acid should be used, for children - 20-30 mg.

The maximum allowable amount of the substance is 90 mg per day. This point should be taken into account when taking vitamin complexes, given that some products are also enriched with this element. If necessary, adjustments are made to the dose taken to prevent an overdose of ascorbic acid. Foods containing a lot of vitamin C are citruses, greens, cabbage (white, cauliflower, broccoli), sea buckthorn, tomatoes, rose hips, black currants.

For example, if there are 100 grams of cabbage (fresh or pickled) per day, several tablespoons of currant or sea buckthorn jam, then the need for vitamin C per day will be completely covered. In the presence of the listed products in the daily menu, there will be no need for additional intake of vitamins.

Attention! An increase in the therapeutic dose of ascorbic acid by more than ten times can lead to death.

Symptoms of Vitamin C Overdose

Clinical manifestations when the dosage of vitamin C is exceeded in adults is manifested as follows:

• general malaise;
• skin rash;
• pain in the stomach;
• heartburn;
• nausea;
• Dizziness
• upset stool;
• vomiting

In case of an overdose, babies may experience symptoms such as increased anxiety, unreasonable aggressiveness, itching, skin rashes - usually on the abdomen and articular folds.

The consequences of an overdose of vitamin C

With a significant overdose of this substance, serious complications can occur. Among them:

• urinary tract diseases;
• malfunctioning of the pancreas, which is dangerous for the onset of diabetes or pancreatitis;
• gastritis or peptic ulcer;
• problems with the absorption of vitamins B, which may cause disturbances in the central nervous system;
• the occurrence of a strong allergic reaction to ascorbic acid;
• steady decrease in the content of leukocytes in the blood;
• increase in blood pressure;
• disruptions in the process of blood coagulation;
• in women of reproductive age - gynecological diseases.

An excess of vitamin C in a woman during pregnancy can affect the formation of the fetus. Experts believe that a significant excess of the dose of vitamin C increases the risk of spontaneous abortion.

An overdose of ascorbic acid in expectant mothers makes itself felt by the following symptoms:

• pain in the digestive organs;
• worsened condition;
• vomiting

In addition, due to hypervitaminosis, B vitamins and some necessary trace elements - copper and selenium cannot be absorbed, which has a negative effect on the development of pregnancy. Expectant mothers should not be abused by vitamin complexes, since their excess can provoke fetal pathologies.

What to do with an overdose of vitamin C

When ascorbic acid enters the water, it completely dissolves, so that the kidneys quickly remove it from the body. If a person suspects that an overdose of vitamin has occurred, then he must immediately stop taking all the drugs and drink plenty of clean water.

If a single use of an increased dosage of vitamin C (more than 20 g) has happened, you need to wash the stomach as quickly as possible in order to provoke vomiting.Then you should take any absorbent available in your medicine cabinet, for example, activated carbon or enterosgel.

It is necessary to use a large amount of liquid so that excess ascorbic acid quickly leaves the body.

So, vitamin C is an important substance for preventive measures against infections during outbreaks of diseases, for maintaining the immune system after illnesses, as well as for those who have bad habits - smoking and alcohol abuse. However, uncontrolled intake or prolonged excess of the dose prescribed by the doctor can lead to dangerous consequences.

Any vitamins should be taken only in the dosage prescribed by the specialist, and also not allow children to eat vitamins without parental supervision. This will avoid overdose and dangerous consequences.

Video: overdose of vitamins and their lack