Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) |
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Basic Information
Brand names:
Ascorbic-Acid Chewable Tablets
Apo-C(R)
Flavorcee(R)
Ascorbic-Acid Effervescent Tablets
Redoxon(R)
Ascorbic-Acid Extended-Release Capsules
Ascorbicap(R)
Cetane(R)
Cevi-Bid(R)
Cevita(R)
Ascorbic-Acid Extended-Release Tablets
Arco-Cee(R)
Cemill(R)
Ascorbic-Acid Oral Solution
Cecon(R)
Ce-Vi-So(R)
Ascorbic-Acid Syrup
Ascorbic-acid syrup(R)
Ascorbic-Acid Tablets
Apo-C(R)
Cevalin(R)
Cevita(R)
Available from natural sources? Yes
Available from synthetic sources? Yes
Prescription required? No
Fat-soluble or water-soluble: Water-soluble
NATURAL SOURCES
Black currants
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Collards
Grapefruit
Green peppers
Guava
Kale
Lemons
Mangos
Orange juice
Oranges
Papayas
Potatoes
Rose hips
Spinach
Strawberries
Sweet and hot peppers
Tangerines
Tomatoes
Watercress
REASONS TO USE
Promotes healthy capillaries, gums, teeth.
Aids iron absorption.
Helps heal wounds and broken bones.
Prevents and treats scurvy.
Treats anemia, especially for iron-deficiency anemia.
Treats urinary-tract infections.
Helps form collagen in connective tissue.
Increases iron absorption from intestines.
Contributes to hemoglobin and red-blood-cell production in
bone marrow.
Blocks production of nitrosamines.
UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS
Prevents or cures the common cold and other infections.
Cures some forms of cancer.
Reduces cholesterol.
Protects against heart disease.
Prevents blood clots.
Prevents allergies.
Prevents or cures poisoning from various substances.
Cures arthritis, skin ulcers, hay fever.
Reduces rectal polyps.
Alleviates mental illness.
Relieves herpes infections of eyes and genitals.
Prevents periodontal disease.
Detoxifies those who abuse alcohol and drugs.
Heals bed sores.
Retards aging.
WHO NEEDS ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS?
Anyone with inadequate caloric or nutritional dietary intake
or increased nutritional requirements.
Older people (over 55 years).
Pregnant or breast-feeding women.
Those who abuse alcohol or other drugs.
People with a chronic wasting illness, acute illness with
fever, hyperthyroidism, tuberculosis, cold exposure.
Anyone who experiences excess stress for long periods or who
has recently undergone surgery.
Athletes and workers who participate in vigorous physical
activities.
Those with a portion of the gastrointestinal tract surgically
removed.
People with recent severe burns or injuries.
Those receiving kidney dialysis.
Infants on unfortified formulas.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
Scurvy: muscle weakness, swollen gums, loss of teeth,
tiredness, depression, bleeding under skin, bleeding gums
Shortness of breath
Digestive difficulties
Easy bruising
Swollen or painful joints
Nosebleeds
Anemia: weakness, tiredness, paleness
Frequent infections
Slow healing of wounds
UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS
Blood-vessel weakness
LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY
Vitamin-C levels in blood plasma.
Measurement of ascorbic-acid level in white-blood cells.
(Expensive and used mostly for experimental purposes.)
DOSAGE AND USAGE INFORMATION
| Age |
RDA |
| 0-12 months |
35mg |
| 1-10 years |
45mg |
| 11-14 years |
50mg |
| 15+ years |
60mg |
| Pregnant |
+20mg |
| Lactating |
+40mg |
What this vitamin does:
Necessary for collagen formation and tissue repair.
Participates in oxidation-reduction reactions.
Needed for metabolism of phenylalanine, tyrosine, folic acid,
iron.
Helps utilization of carbohydrates, synthesis of fats and
proteins, preservation of integrity of blood-vessel walls.
Strengthens blood vessels.
Miscellaneous information:
FOOD PREPARATION TIPS TO CONSERVE VITAMIN C:
Eat food raw or minimally cooked.
Shorten cooking time by putting vegetables in very small
amounts of water.
Avoid prolonged standing of food at room temperature.
Avoid overexposure of food to air and light.
Avoid soaking vegetables.
Available as:
Tablets: Swallow whole with full glass of liquid. Don't chew
or crush. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless
otherwise directed by your doctor.
Extended-release capsules or tablets: Swallow whole with full
glass of liquid. Don't chew or crush. Take with or immediately
after food to decrease stomach irritation.
Oral solution: Dilute in at least 1/2 glass water or other
liquid. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless
otherwise directed by your doctor.
Injectable forms are administered by doctor or nurse.
Chewable tablets: Chew well before swallowing.
Effervescent tablets: Allow to dissolve completely in liquid
before swallowing.
A constituent of many multivitamin/mineral preparations.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Don't take if you:
Are allergic to vitamin C.
Consult your doctor if you have:
Gout.
Kidney stones.
Sickle-cell anemia.
Over age 55:
Needs are greater.
Side effects are more likely.
If you take 1,000mg a day or more, drink AT LEAST 2
QUARTS of water daily.
Pregnancy:
Requires vitamin-C supplements because of demands made by bone
development, teeth and connective-tissue formation of fetus.
Consult doctor to ensure correct dose.
If mother take megadoses, newborn may develop deficiency
symptoms after birth.
Don't take megadoses.
Breast-feeding:
Requires vitamin-C supplementation to support rapid growth of
child. Consult doctor to ensure correct dose.
Don't take megadoses.
Effect on lab tests:
WITH MEGADOSES (10 TIMES RECOMMENDED RDA):
Blood in stool. Large doses may cause false-negative test
results.
LDH and SGOT (See Glossary)
Glucose in urine. Depends on method used.
Serum bilirubin. False low level.
Urinary pH. False low level.
Storage:
Store in cool, dry place away from direct light, but don't
freeze.
Store safely out of reach of children.
Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture
may change action of vitamin.
Others:
Very high doses may cause kidney stones, although reported
studies do not confirm this.
OVERDOSE/TOXICITY
Signs and symptoms:
Flushed face, headache, increased urination, lower-abdominal
cramps, mild diarrhea, nausea, vomiting for oral forms.
Dizziness and faintness (if given by injection).
What to do:
For symptoms of overdosage: Discontinue vitamin and consult
doctor. Also see ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS section
below.
For accidental overdosage (such as child taking entire
bottle): Dial 911 (emergency), 0 for operator or your nearest
Poison Control Center.
ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS
| Reaction or effect |
What to do |
| Anemia |
Discontinue. Call doctor immediately. |
| Flushed face |
Discontinue. Call doctor when |
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convenient. |
| Headache |
Discontinue. Call doctor when |
|
convenient. |
| Increased urination |
Discontinue. Call doctor when |
|
convenient. |
| Lower abdominal cramps |
Seek emergency treatment. |
| Mild diarrhea |
Discontinue. Call doctor when |
|
convenient. |
| Nausea |
Seek emergency treatment. |
| Vomiting |
Seek emergency treatment. |
INTERACTION WITH MEDICINE, VITAMINS OR MINERALS
| Interacts with |
Combined effect |
| Aminosalicylic acid (PAS for |
Increases chance of formation |
| tuberculosis) |
of drug crystals in urine. |
|
Large doses of vitamin C must |
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be taken to produce this effect. |
| Anti-cholinergics |
Decreases anti-cholinergic effect. |
| Anti-coagulants (oral) |
Decreases anti-coagulant effect. |
| Aspirin |
Decreases vitamin-C effect. |
| Barbiturates |
Decreases vitamin-C effect. |
|
Increases barbiturate effect. |
| Calcium |
Assists in absorption of |
|
calcium. |
| Copper |
Decreases absorption of |
|
copper. Large doses of vitamin |
|
C must be taken to produce |
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this effect. |
| Iron supplements |
Increases iron effect. |
| Mineral oil |
Decreases vitamin-C effect. |
| Oral contraceptives |
Decreases vitamin-C effect. |
| Quinidine |
Decreases quinidine effect. |
| Salicylates |
Decreases vitamin-C effect. |
| Sulfa drugs |
Decreases vitamin-C effect. |
|
May cause kidney stones. |
| Tetracyclines |
Decreases vitamin-C effect. |
INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
Tobacco decreases absorption. Smokers may require supplemental
vitamin C.
Alcohol can be more rapidly broken down in body with large
doses of vitamin C.
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