Vitamin c, also known as ascorbic acid, has been at the forefront of the supplement, beauty, anti-aging and wellness industry for quite some time now.
It’s actually safe to define it as the powerhouse of the dietary supplementation industry.
And it is easy to see why – this is a vitamin that is believed to be the crux of the treatment and prevention of serious deficiency diseases such as scurvy.
It is a well-established observation for people to commonly take vitamin c capsules to lessen and temper the severity of the physical symptoms associated with viral diseases such as common cold.
The Numerous Health Benefits and Importance of Taking Vitamin C
Apart from the expected immunity boost that you get from taking vitamin C capsules, most people are not aware that ascorbic acid is integral to a whole range of important health benefits.
To set things straight, here’s a quick but detailed recap on that.
- Being an antioxidant, vitamin C can help protect against damage caused by harmful molecules also known as free radicals.
- Involved in the absorption and utilization of iron when the nutrients are taken together.
- Vitamin C is needed to keep anemia at bay.
- Maintaining a healthy level of vitamin C is a recognized and known marker for overall excellent health as deficiency is associated with numerous mental and physical ailments.
- Research shows that patients who were regularly supplemented with vitamin C had a significantly reduced chance of developing stroke compared to those who did not eat enough vegetables and fresh fruits.
- Vitamin C immune booster juice has potent anti aging properties thanks to its capacity to function as an antioxidant. Infact, higher vitamin C intake has been associated with reduced wrinkling, skin dryness and a better overall aging appearance.
In addition to all this, vitamin C is integral for maintaining healthy bones, connective tissue, skin, muscles, skin, teeth, and capillaries.
Warnings: What You Should Know About Ascorbic Acid Before Starting to Use it
You should consider talking to a qualified healthcare provider before getting an immunity boost from a vitamin C supplement if you happen to have;
- A history of kidney disease or kidney disease
- A hereditary iron overload ailment, also known as hemochromatosis
- If you are a smoker, since smoking has been shown to make ascorbic acid supplements less effective.
Having said that, your dose could be different if you are expecting a baby or already breastfeeding.
Either way, do not start using ascorbic acid or any other food supplement for that matter without speaking with your doctor.
Possible Side Effects of Ascorbic Acid: Things to be Aware Before You Purchase Vitamin C
First of all, even before starting to use ascorbic acid, it is important to advise your pharmacists or doctor if you happen to have any allergies or reactions of any kind whatsoever.
And considering that a vitamin C supplement could contain a bunch of inactive ingredients in its formulation such as peanut or soy, it is advisable to let your healthcare provider be aware of any problems you may have with such additives.
Besides, before using the vitamin, it is highly recommended to tell your pharmacist or healthcare provider if you have a medical history of G6PD deficiency, kidney stones, or any other kidney disease
Otherwise, it is likely you could encounter the following side effects if you are a first-time user of this supplement.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain/cramps
- Heartburn
That aside, these are quite rare.
Furthermore, remember that if your doctor or physician has instructed you to use this food supplement, then they have weighed the health benefits vs. side effects of the medication (including energy increase) and found it to be worth the risk.
A greater percentage of people using vitamin C capsules or drops will hardly experience any notable side effects anyways.
Alert your doctor as promptly as possible if you start having painful urinations or bloody/pink urine after adopting the supplement.
This could be a sign of potential kidney disease or ailment which often requires urgent medical attention.
Otherwise, serious allergic reactions to this ascorbic acid are quite rare.
Nevertheless, be sure to seek urgent medical attention should you notice tell-tale signs of a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction such as;
- Sporadic itching and rashes
- Swelling of the tongue/face/throat
- Severe dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting
- Difficulty breathing
- Severe joint pain, tiredness, extreme fatigue
- ·Chills, an increased urge to urinate, fever, difficult or painful urination
- Extreme acute pain on your side or lower back
How to Use Natural Vitamins Like Ascorbic Acid More Effectively
It is imperative to use vitamin C, aka ascorbic acid, exactly as directed by the manufacturer or as indicated on the packaging/label.
Otherwise, follow the prescription instructions from your doctor or physician as closely as possible.
Under no circumstances should you use the supplement in larger amounts or for a longer period than recommended.
Speaking of which, the recommended daily dietary allowance increases progressively with age.
That’s one of the reasons it is advisable to stick as closely as possible to your healthcare’s usage instructions to avoid chances of under or over-using the supplement.
In addition to this, nutritional experts recommend drinking plenty of fluids while taking ascorbic acid.
And if you are using a chewable tablet, be sure to chew it thoroughly before swallowing it.
In the same vein, ascorbic acid gums should only be chewed for a given amount of time before being thrown away rather than swallowed.
Do not chew, break or crush an extended-release vitamin C capsule – swallow it whole as intended by the manufacturer.
Besides, if you are using vitamin C acid drops, always make sure that you are using a special dose-measuring cup, dropper or spoon to take the correct amount.
Most importantly, store ascorbic acid in a cool and dry place away from excessive moisture and heat.
In Closing
As you can see, vitamin C is a pretty safe supplement to take as long as you follow simple instructions from your pharmacists or the manufacturer.
And the fact that it can easily be bought over the counter or ordered and delivered online only adds to the overall convenience of purchasing vitamin C supplements.