How Much Vitamin C Should You Take?

How much Vitamin C should I take daily?

This is a great question. Each of us is bio-chemically unique. Because of diet and lifestyle, including work environment, different nutrient requirements exist and different levels are present in our blood stream.  Unlike most other animals, humans cannot make Vitamin C in their bodies.  It must be obtained from food or supplements. Citrus fruits have traditionally been considered good sources of Vitamin C, but there are many other foods that contain high amounts.  In fact, sweet red peppers, kiwi fruits and strawberries contain higher amounts than most citrus fruits. Remember to choose organic.

Vitamin C, like the B vitamins, is water soluble. This means that it may easily wash out of the body in sweat and urine. With that in mind there are minimums I would recommend, assuming that you are in good health.

Be sure to take at least 1000 milligrams (mg) on a daily basis. If you can tolerate 3000 mg on a daily basis, that might be best.

A C-Complex formula is ideal if it also contains rutin and hesperidin. These are both great for strengthening the capillaries. In fact bruising very easily tells you the capillaries are fragile and are breaking very easily.

Vitamin C is concentrated in the adrenal glands. As you may already know the adrenal glands are the stress centers of the body. Stressed adrenal glands can result in the immune system functioning at a less than optimal level. We all know how wonderful Vitamin C is for the immune system.

Some MD’s give Vitamin C infusions to increase the amount in the blood stream so as to make it available in large quantities to the cells of the body. The reason for the infusions is to avoid the reaction of the body when too much is consumed orally. The stomach and intestines will sometimes have reactions, such as bloating, to large quantities when taken orally.

Because of the therapeutic value of Vitamin C in many applications some people will take up to 10,000 mg on a daily basis. Fortunately Vitamin C is non-toxic; however, too much can cause diarrhea. If you develop diarrhea simply cut back to learn what works for you. You may find that some days you can tolerate a lot more than other days. Perhaps when you can tolerate more, your body is saying that it needs more.

Do you think that your body needs more?