Vitamin C
Vitamin C promotes a healthy immune system and can be taken to help your body fight against the common cold. It also acts as an antioxidant.
Vitamin C Overview
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin naturally present in foods, such as citrus fruits, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, and other fruits and vegetables.
In the body, Vitamin C promotes healthy immune function and would healing and improves the absorption of iron.
Vitamin C is used for the common cold, cancer prevention and treatment, heart disease, eye disease (Age-related macular degeneration and cataracts), and many other uses.
Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from damage.
Uses
Vitamin C is used for the common cold, cancer prevention and treatment, heart disease, eye disease (age-related macular degeneration and cataracts), and many other uses.
Vitamin C has not been proven effective for all of the uses listed above. Vitamin C may be used for other conditions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Side Effects of Vitamin C
At daily-recommended amounts, vitamin C appears safe. Taking too much vitamin C can cause diarrhea, nausea, and stomach cramps. The severity of side effects can increase with the more vitamin C you take.
This is not a complete list of vitamin C side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
Vitamin C Interactions
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:
- Statins, a type of cholesterol medication, which includes atorvastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin and others
- Chemotherapy or radiation therapy
This is not a complete list of vitamin C drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Vitamin C Precautions
Special precautions & warnings:
- Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using vitamin C if you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or trying to become pregnant.
- The chance and severity of side effects increases with the more vitamin C you take.
