8 Vitamin C Benefits (and Some Common Side Effects)

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.

Lypospheric Vitamin C

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Posted by Rsw (Uniontown, Oh) on 04/10/2013

I make my own lyposomal Vit C with an inexpensive ultrasonic jewelry cleaner.

  • Mix together in a blender: 1 cup distilled or RO water, and 3 Tbls. sunflower lecithin (I avoid soy but it can also be used).
  • Blend until dissolved.
  • Mix together: 1/2 Cup water with 1 Tbls. powdered pure vitamin C and add to blender.
  • Blend again.
  • Pour into the sonic cleaner for 6 to 10, 3 minute rounds, (total of 18-30 minutes until no more or just a little foam remains on top) stirring with a straw or plastic spoon slowly to move the mixture around.
  • The longer it is in the sonic cleaner, the more encapsulation will occur.
  • Store in the refrigerator.
  • (Some instructions include baking soda for a more alkaline solution. )


Lypospheric Vitamin C
Posted by Wayseeker (Modesto, Ca/ Usa) on 10/17/2012

I finally jumped in with both feet into doing high dose spherically encoated lyposomal "Vit. C". Doing my due dilligence to be an informed consumer, I stumbled across some amazing facts.

Linus Pauling, of Vit. C fame, wrote a forward to a 1982 book, The Healing Factor, by Irwin Stone. Older books often hold outstanding information. I found this book free, online, in its entirety.

What we call Vit. C is actually more of a neccesary nutrient / elemental co-factor / enzyme process. It has its own precursor to the formation of Vit. C, which actually then takes place within the body.

This originating substance is what they are calling the healing factor. This vital enzyme is called L-gulonolactone oxidase, and it converts glucose into Vit. C within the body.

We lack the gene, or it has mutated, that allows us to simply produce Vit. C all by itself, as most animals do. So, we need the outside food sources to set this process in motion. And it is not merely something with a minumum daily requirement... Enough to keep us from the edge of death by scurvy... But a great deal more is required in order to actually restore us to health. Virtually the whole world is on the bare edge of scurvy!

I was shocked to read the symptoms of scurvy, and compare them with my own presenting probems. By my reading I have determined, based on all my symptoms, that I have been suffering wih a chronic, medium-grade, scurvy.

The deep bone ache and numbness in my legs, the bloodshot dry eyes, blood in stools, broken blood vessels causing red hands and neck, poor circulation, and the list went on and on.

I had been to top level neurologists at Kaiser, only to find that their initial diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy was proven wrong. That was all they could say.

I simply could not believe how much better I feel already, just 24 hours into a four-day high-dose run, to redress my longstanding, and deep, Vit. C deficiency. Smashing success! Healing miracles!

A word to the wise is sufficient. Blessings. --T.

Replied by Carly
(Seattle, Wa - Usa)
10/20/2012

Thanks for the heads up Wayseeker. I have read Linus Paulings books in the past, and found them very informative. I "googled" The Healing Factor and read the book you suggested by Irwin Stone.

The timing for me to read about Vitamin C again couldn't have been any better. The day before your post I had had a fever of 102 and was feeling like total DEATH. I NEVER get fevers, not ever, so this was total trauma for me... Body aches, shivers, joint pain... even my skin hurt! It was awful.

I started drinking "Emergen-C" in bottled water at the rate of one an hour (maybe a bit more) and over that day I had 10 packets. Each packet has 1, 000mg of vitamin C. I was going to take it until I got diarrhea, but that never happened. What DID happen was that I GOT OUT OF BED THE NEXT DAY! It was truly amazing. I thought I was going to die, and the next day I am out of bed? I credit it all to the high dose of vitamin C that I ingested over those critical 10 hours. Apparently I never even reached my saturation point, as I never had diarrhea.... Theory says I could have taken even more of it!

I have always believed in Vitamin C.... But had "only" been taking about one pack of the Emergen-c a day lately. What I took away from reading the book you suggested by Irwin Stone is that if humans were still able to produce their own vitamin C as almost every other mammal does (with exception of the apes and guinea pigs of course) that we would be producing between 3-5 grams a day! I now intend to take at least three grams of C (in divided doses) a day to keep my body saturated!

So much information on all of the benefits of C in his book.... Just a fascinating read. It was very nice of his family to allow it to be put online for free.

Much gratitude to them, and to you for suggesting it!

Replied by Wayseeker
(Modesto, Ca/ Usa)
10/21/2012

Hi Carly--So glad you are such a quick-healing miracle! --T.


Mono

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Posted by Gigigirl (Baltimore, Maryland) on 07/12/2013
★★★★★

My daughter at 17 tested positive for mono. She was living with her father at the time, a choice made entirely by her at an age when she thought living with him would be a lot more fun than living with her more strict and responsible mother. :) Hence, she ended up with mono and a grim prognosis that there is no treatment other than at least three weeks bed rest. It would have to "run it's course". I was living in a high-rise building at the time with huge windows and tons of sunlight. For three days she rested on a sofa in front of the windows and consumed mega doses of vitamin c, via tablets and orange juice. She also ate almost nothing but a favorite (thankfully) homemade ham and bean soup loaded with cabbage and tomatoes. The third day of her recovery, I came home from work and she excitedly exclaimed, "Mom! Guess what happened! All of the sudden today when I took a swallow of my juice, all that crud in my throat went away. It's gone! And I feel great! ". I had her cultured two days later and she tested negative for mono. Her doctor was stunned. I wasn't!


Mono
Posted by Richard Morgan (Edgewater, Florida) on 07/09/2008
★★★★★

Oral vitamin C therapy as recommended by Dr. Robert Cathcart was employed to resolve within 14 days a case of mononucleosis contracted by my 17-year-old grand-daughter.

Procedure:
1st 24 hours, 7000mg ascorbic acid powder in orange juice every hour.
Subsequent days: 1000mg every hour until bowel tolerance syndrom; thereafter, an amount of the vitamin every three hours just short of bowel tolerance syndrome.


Numbing and Tingling in the Feet

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Posted by Steve (Los Angeles) on 03/04/2007
★★★★★

I have been taking about 2000mg of vitamin c in the morning and evening. the problems I have had with my feet has all but disappeared. I have had numbing or tingling in my feet. I do not know if this is from physical injuries too them or from type 2 diabetes or both but I feel the Vitamin C has helped alkaline my system.


Pain

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Posted by Jill (Hamilton) on 05/06/2018
★★★★★

Generalised and mirrored body pain generalised swelling, constant buzzing throughout my body. Antinuclear antibodies showing up in tests but all other tests within normal range. 3 months with symptoms and told by doctor there was nothing she could do. Went to biomedical practitioner and given IV Vitamin C ... symptoms went away within hours!

Replied by Uncertain
(La)
06/21/2020

How do you choose a biomedical practitioner?


Pain
Posted by Dez57 (Beatty, Oregon) on 07/20/2012
★★★★★

I have several bad teeth. Broken and bare. Two years ago my old filling started two break up and my was mouth full of pain and inflammation. After $300. Dollar dental bills and no end in sight, I increased my ascorbic acid intake to 8 to 15 grams a day to counter the inflammation and pain. Two years later I now have 5 broken and bare teeth with no pain. I cannot afford dental work for another four years when my house is paid off. Also my health has never been better. I take all the basic vitamins and minerals with added supplements which I have done for 50 years. Only thing I have ever seen a doctor for is injuries.

My doctor is F R Klenner. He died in 1984 and his vitamin therapy is used today around the world. You will find his papers on the internet. He has been given the AMA's highest recommendation, by blackballing his name and work for over 60 years. If you do not take at least 5 grams of ascorbic acid a day, you are in trouble or will be. Even a 140lb goat makes 5 grams a day in its liver and up to 60 grams a day when sick or injured. Goats also do no not ingest processed foods, sugars, oils and junk food and neither do I.


Ph

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Posted by Erdie (Cebu City, Philippiones) on 09/07/2007
★★★★★

Im Erdz of cebu.... I really appreciate the effects of vit. C especially when I knew the latest Vit. C (daily C) bopered [buffered] Non Acidic Vitamin C... I haven much daily C evn in mega Dosing... becuase i have the fever and flue... more than that my friend told me that daily c is ati [anti] oxidant and nutralizer [pH neutralizing] ...so ive observed that few days...my acidity was not able to bodered [bother] me anymore..eventually i drink softdrinks... so finally i really thankful right now becuase taking mega dose of daily C which is sodium Ascorbate (non Acidic Vitamin C) is advantage than other vit. C we know from the market...(ascorbic Acid) we are prone to sickness and pro-oxidant.

Replied by C
(Cheltenham, Pa)
06/07/2011

I think that you are adding your own "science" to ascorbic acid. There is strong evidence that Vitamin C's real effects come from its property as a Hydrogen donor ie: its properties as an acid. Neutralizing the acid may remove its benefit. In fact, this entire website is way too biased toward turning everything "alkaline". Without the H dontaion from acids (H donation is literally the definition of an acid) you'd burn up with free radical oxidation. H is literally what quenches the hydroxyl free radical. Its like water on a fire. Ask any chemist, alkaline burns in the lab are much, much worse than acid burns. Acids(hydrogen donors) are what cool your body down from free readical oxidation.

Replied by Debbie
(Melbourne , Australia)
06/08/2011

I agree this website is too skewed about turning everything alkaline. Stomach acid needs to be acidic or it won't digest food properly and minerals won't be properly absorbed.

Replied by Joyce
(Lansdowne, Pa)
06/08/2011

While I believe in alkalizing the body, stomach acid should not be alkalized unless one is producing too much acid. I suffered from indigestion and hours after I have eaten my food would not be digested. My allergist diagnosed me as having acid reflux which was causing asthma like symptoms. I was taking Nexium which did not help much. I took ACV which helped but after starting the green smoothie I had no more problems with indigestion or acid reflux. I still take ACV ocassionally and probiotics. I love Earth Clinic and believe this site is helping a lot of people and if alkalizing helps, let it be.

Replied by P'chic
(Oregon, US)
10/05/2014

Well, I dont weigh in here too often but just now I feel compelled to toss in my 2c...

i have naturally low stomach acid (hereditary) which has caused trouble all my life... I began taking plain Ascorbic Acid for flu, and it gave me symptoms of heartburn & reflux... so I buffered with Baking Soda to see what that might do- felt hesitant because of allready low HCl- but it did the trick. immediately began to recover from virus and not only that I NO LONGER HAVE ANY LOW HCL SYMPTOMS as long as I take about 1g Buffered-C daily. Seems that something in the combination has actually boosted my stomach acid production to something a lot more like Normal :) FWIW!


Pregnancy

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Posted by Mary Grace (Chicago, Il) on 01/02/2010
★★★★★

After reading the rules for posting, I'm sorry I can't put a link here to the website that explains the benefits of Vitamin C but hopefully by just googling Dr. Klenner, you can find this information. He did a study of pregnant women taking Vitamin C and 100% came through without miscarrying. I am 5 weeks pregnant now with my 9th child and have always taken Vitamin C through pregnancies. My mother had 5 children and she used to take high doses of Vitamin C. There are such great benefits so for those that are concerned, please do a little more research and don't stop taking your C.


Sciatica

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Posted by Kathleen (Chicago, Illinois ) on 02/08/2010
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Hi,

This is only the second time that I have posted, and I wanted to thank you for your kind words regarding my first post.

I promised that I would update everyone IF I was able to finally conquer sciatica. Well, I DID IT! I said that I was going to try Magnesium as suggested on your site. Didn't seem to help me.

What finally did the trick was "flooding" with Vitamin C per Dr. Frederick Klenner's web site, Doctor Yourself. Please check out the testimonal under Back Pain (at the bottom of that page). Unlike the testimonial, I was not completely out of pain on the fourth day; it took me six days.

I took two grams (2,000 milligrams) every hour I was awake. What I finally figured out was that the man that wrote the testimonial was taking a teaspoon every hour (that's four grams).

Just in case you are concerned at the high level of Vitamin C, it is a water soluble vitamin which the body will throw off if it can't use it. There is no known Vitamin C toxicity to humans.

The reason it worked is very simple. I had a Vitamin C deficiency severe enough to cause sciatica. Wish I had known that before!

What I also didn't realize was that the intermittent backaches that I have had in the last five years or so were also a Vitamin C deficiency and a precursor to the more severe sciatica! I have not had even a hint of a backache since I began treating the sciatica.

I am now on a maintenance dosage of Vitamin C of about 10 grams per day (still working out exact amount) which I will remain on for the rest of my life. You know when the body cannot use the level of Vitamin C that you are taking. You get diarrhea and just cut back a bit until you have the right level for you.

My primary reason for advocating natural alternatives for myself is safety. It was a blood pressure generic Lisinopril that triggered my sciatica and my descent into an unfathonable Dante's inferno. I will use SAFE alternatives in the future as often as possible.

Good health to everyone this year!


Sepsis

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Posted by Anonymous (Cleveland, Ohio) on 08/15/2018
★★★★★

Could Vitamin C Be the Cure for Deadly Infections?-By Jim Morrison-SMITHSONIAN.COM -Dr. Paul Marik, chief of the pulmonary and critical care medicine unit at Eastern Virginia Medical School is using Vit C I.V.'s to save people from dying from Sepsis. Works for colds, flu and pneumonia too. So far, he's treated more than 150 patients with the protocol and he says only one has died from sepsis.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/could-deadly-infections-be-cured-vitamin-c-180963843/

EC: Interesting. Here is his exact protocol used in hospitals: https://www.evms.edu/uploads/magazine/9-4/downloads/Sepsis-dosing-strategy-Feb-2017[1].pdf


Shingles

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Posted by RJ (Cleveland, Ohio) on 01/14/2008
★★★★★

I recently had a shingles, which I never knew anything about until now. This web site was a big help in helping me understand the disease and what I could do about it.

I actually used multiple remedies to help cure shingles and the excruciating pain that went along with it. I went to a doctor to find out what it was and he confirmed that it was shingles and prescribed Valtrex an antiviral pill (which will not kill the virus), 1 per day for 10 days. I did take it but it didn't do a thing for the outbreak or the pain.

First thing I did was start taking Vitamin C 1000 mg fizzy packets x 3 every hour, by the fourth or fifth hour, I had diarrhea. Not a problem, cut it back to 1000 mg every 3 hours for the next 2 days. This helps to jump start the immune system and Vitamin C doesn't build up in the body and you can't get enough from fruits and vegetables. I also started taking l-lysine 2 tablets in the morning and 2 before bed (1500 mg each time). This also helps to boost immune system and kill the virus. Unfortunately, I did have to take some ibuprofen for the pain from time to time but that was only one or sometimes twice a day for a few days. I also took twice a day 2 ounces of apple cider vinegar mixed with either orange juice or grape juice (not at the same time as the vitamins) until the outbreak was gone.

For the outbreak, I tried putting zinc oxide cream (the worst thing to do) on the outbreak, it did nothing and it was painful to get off because it is made with petroleum. I also tried honey for its' ability to heal, it may have helped but it was messy and I didn't see any results. I did put tea tree oil on for a full day and it seemed to keep it from spreading but I did not see a lot of healing. I then took and put apple cider vinegar directly on the sores and wrapped them in cellophane to keep from drying out and left on for 2 hours. It was painful but it really brought out the sores. I then took baking soda and sea salt mixed with water and applied with a wet wash cloth and let sit on for an hour and then reapplied a few times. This felt great because it had a cooling effect on the sores and took away a lot of the pain. I used to have acne as a teenager and we would go to the beach in the summer and every year, my acne clear up like I had none at all, so I tried it and immediately the sores began to heal. I only needed to use for one to two days for the baking soda and salt water and only once for the apple cider vinegar. Once everything was dried up, I put some calamine lotion on for help with itching and I was surprised when it eliminated the dark marks from where the sores were. For the pain that continued after the sores, I thought it would go away, but unfortunately, it hung around a while and made life tough. I finally tried vitamin E d-alpha, not dl-alpha 1200 IU's twice a day and the pain went away after 2 days. I read that Vitamin C and Vitamin E should be taken together so I took 1000 mg of Vitamin C with the Vitamin E at the same time.

Also, watch your diet and eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. There are some that say the virus uses foods like nuts and chocolate as food to grow and survive, so starve it and you have a better chance that the natural remedies will kill and eat the virus.

Good Luck and I hope this helps someone because many of these same things worked for others and I know that they helped me a lot. Thanks to those that shared.


Side Effects

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Posted by John (Mt. Pleasant, Mi) on 11/13/2015

I've been taking chewable vitamin C for about two weeks and got a sore about a week ago.


Side Effects
Posted by Tee (Swedesboro, Nj) on 06/15/2013

Hello, I had extensive blood work done and found that I was low on vitamin c, d, and b vitamins. I just started with the c vitamin (absorbic acid) with rosehips at 1000 mg and the Dr. wants me up to 3000 mg. Well at 1000mg of vitamin C, I am so tired. I don't understand. I am on day 7 of the vitamin c (and today I had to really nap) as I am waiting in the mail for my b's and d.

I do take Effexor xr and Klonopin. All my other blood work was okay except for vitamin deficiencies and epstein bar virus old antibodies that are high. Anyone know if 1000 mg of vitamin c is just too much for me? Thanks. It seems like there is people out there that have this side effect but it does not seem common when I google it.

Replied by A. Smith
(Texas, US)
10/05/2014

What you are probably experiencing, is the detox effect. The Vitamin C is 'cleaning' you out and getting rid of the toxins which is probably why you are feeling tired. My suggestions are to either work thru the detox effect or lower your dose then slowly work back up.

Replied by Prioris
(Florida, US)
10/06/2014

Trying experimenting with different vitamin C complex.

Full spectrum vitamin C contains

Ascorbic Acid
ascorbinogen
bioflavonoids
rutin
tyrosinase
Factor J
Factor K
Factor P


Side Effects
Posted by Newton (Sao Paulo, Sp - Brasil) on 03/05/2013

People prone to having kidney stones should beware taking high Vit C daily doses. I had 2 kidney crisis in my life and in both cases I was taking 2 grams daily. Since I stopped this, never had another crisis. Searching the internet you can find many researches correlating that.



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