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.
Side Effects
Posted by Annie (Chicago, IL) on 10/10/2007
I got a facial for the first time in my life four days ago and the vitamin C products the aesthetician used seems to have caused a reaction on my skin. I have a rash all over my forehead, although it is not red. It's more like a breakout, except when I scratch it, it is itchy--unlike acne. This seems to be a mild allergic reaction to vitamin C. I am worried because my wedding is this weekend! Has anyone had a similar experience and can I expect it to go away in a couple days?
Side Effects
Posted by Jennifer (Denver, CO) on 11/08/2007
RE: VITAMIN C PRODUCTS CAUSED FACIAL RASH 10/10/2007: Annie I have the same problem, athough I myself am an esthetician. I cannot use C or A on my face without a similar reaction. Ironically, the C products are prescribed for sensiteive skin!
Ph
Posted by Joyce (Lansdowne, Pa) on 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.
Side Effects
Posted by Eve (Upper Marlboro, MD) on 08/08/2007
I've had an allergy to vitamin c since birth. As a child, my parents observed rashes on my face and body when I consumed too much vitamin c. Now, as an adult, I have acne breakouts when I eat oranges, or drink juices or take supplements with higher than 100% of the daily value of vitamin c. I'm assuming my body is highly acidic. My dad tells me to try taking vitamin c in liquid form. Is it possible that this would prevent the breakouts?
Side Effects
Posted by Yvette (Choctaw, Oklahoma) on 09/27/2007
Response to Eve-Marlboro, MD -- I also had a reaction to vitamin c all my life. I was so sensitive I would eat an orange and breakout with rash in the back of my knees. I noticed you said your Dad was recommending a liquid supplement. I am taking a liquid all natural supplement. Have had no reactions at all. You are welcome to contact me.
High Cholesterol
Posted by Ed (Clarkston, Michigan) on 01/07/2009
★★★★★
Lipitor Muscle pain: I notice one person commented about taking Vit C in large doses to help controlling cholesterol. I have read a lot of similar articles as I have the same muscle pain that all the articles talk about in taking Statin drugs. My question is: If I stop taking statin drugs and use Vit C do the muscles rebuild - less the pain and how long does it take. I have been taking Lipitor and swithched to Sinvastain a year ago and have now developed severe muscle pain in legs. Will my blood test indicate a real cholesterol number or will the Vit C distort the cholesterol reading. I get my blood tested every 6 months.
Thanks
Ed
Side Effects
Posted by Kula (Semarang, Indonesia) on 04/15/2007
vit c side effect: I had been consuming blended tomato, carrot and apple every morning (before breakfirst) since 2005 till last month. Lately I feel tight or cramp inside my neck. When I stopped those blended fruits, my throat/neck is OK.
Side Effects
Posted by Aelphabae (Milton, Wi) on 09/26/2012
Keep in mind tomatoes are part of the nightshade plant family and are actually TOXIC to humans. You woud have to eat a large amount to experience dramatic effects but it is shown to cause inflammation in the body in small doses... Generally you want to avoid tomatoes and other nightshade plants (eggplant, potatoes, etc)
Side Effects
Posted by Timh (Louisville, Ky, Usa) on 09/27/2012 2042 posts
I just happened to research this a little yesterday as I had a large portion of unpeeled potatoes night fore last and became major drowsy, totally lost libido, and slept way ahead of my usual bed-time. The cumulative affect of regular consumption of the nightshades causes calcium to become gated from normal ionic cell membrane channels causing weak bones, arthritis, etc. As for acute toxicity from the nightshade's Solanine, it looks like I did exactly what was necessary for poisoning. The skin of the potato, when exposed to light and warm temps, causes a rapid increase in Solanine content as a natural protector. This is noticed in the "greening" of the skin. The sprouts are also toxic. It is recommended to peel these "greened" potatoes and cook in veg oil NOT water (not sure about baking).
Side Effects
Posted by Antoine (Los Angeles, California) on 03/21/2007
I was born allergic to Vitamin C. It causes me to itch all over my body, sometimes even break out in Hives. As a matter of fact, doctors have suggested that i even avoid taking ANY vitamins.
Side Effects
Posted by David (Elkton, MD) on 11/18/2008
It might be the calcium, as well as bioflavanoids. Ester C is C buffered with calcium and it also contains bioflavanids, and some people are more sensitive to calcium supplements than others and bioflavanoids are a problem for many people. Most creams with Vitamin C buffer it with calcium and throw rose hips and other junk in there to make it sound even more beneficial even though it's they're far more likely to give you an adverse reaction.
Skin especially needs vitamin C. It's a primary ingredient in the process of creating collagen which gives skin elasticity and keeps it from getting saggy.
I would suggest pure ascorbic acid for consumption. Most studies indicate pure Vit C is just as viable as buffered solutions and complexes including bioflavanoids.
With adequate C intake local application of the C to your skin should not be necessary. You could however put super concentrated vit C fluid + baking soda (to make sodium ascorbate, a non-acidic version of Vitamin C) in a dropper and rub it in to your face each night before you go to bed. Powdered pure vit C and baking soda is cheap and easily obtainable and I guarantee it will not give you a rash if mixed to become neutral.
Side Effects
Posted by Pat (Lamper, MO) on 01/28/2007
Recently had bladder infection, solved with soda and ACV. Nobody ever discusses Vit C problem. If I take Vit C or even a health bar with citric acid, I develop kidney or bladder problem. Would love to cleanse with your 1/4 tsp lemon, soda and pinch of Magnesium and potassium.
Sore Throat
Posted by Lorenzo (Green River, Wyoming) on 01/17/2007
★★★★★
Quick success with Sore throat. One tablespoon of raw crushed garlic. One day flu cure: 20 grams of vitamin C. Was taking Vitamin C several times a day to keep a tooth from hurting until the Dentist appointment. Then in place of taking anti-biotics one hour before the appointment I took more vitamin C. The Dentist had to give me more novocaine than normal as it kept wearing off. I mentioned this on the Cavemanfood list and another writer said he had the swame experience. We had a teen age visitor with a toothache, she took Vitamin C and was happy again.
Side Effects
Posted by John (Oakland, CA) on 01/10/2007
re: Large doses of Vitamin C. I took 3 grams/day for periodontal disease. I'm cutting back because I would sneeze so hard I became congested and would turn to inhalers. My lungs constricted.
Side Effects
Posted by Sarah (USA) on 12/20/2006
I take high doses of Vitamin C whenever I get a cold. I always get a rash on my abdomen, breasts and underarms afterward. I don't know if the vitamin C causes it, but I wonder now if the two are linked.
Side Effects
Posted by Bret (Phoenix, Arizona) on 09/18/2008
I thought I had an allergy to vitamin c growing up. My pediatrician said no, it was an allergy to contaminants and biproducts. Some experts feel you cannot be allergic to a vitamin, but that plant biproducts, bioflavenoid, rhutin can induce allergic reactions. I know because I used to break out in pinpoint rash on my abdomen from vitamin c and had to take liquid drops which were pure. While I was growing up, I had to take this liquid form. If I was truly allergic to c, I would still have broken out, which I did not in the purest form.
Stay away from rose hips and extras. Buy the powder without the extra's. Buffered is good so don't mistake potassium, magnesium, calcium as extras. Just straight c, buffered or not.
Your liver used to make vitamin c as does every mammal. Somewhere along the line, primates lost their ability to manufacture their own c. This is why some people feel you can't be allergic to the vitamin, but can be allergic to the stuff that comes along with it. It's like being allergic to a hormone that your body already makes. If you take synthroid and have a reaction, chances are it's not the synthroid as your body manufactured this hormone naturally, it is something in the synthroid which causes reactions.
So seek out powder form, no flavenoids and such. No rose hips.
Good luck. This is a very important vitamin. Bret Peirce
Side Effects
Posted by Sue (Jamestown, Ny, Usa) on 03/10/2012
Hi, I am really confused... What type of vitamin C should I be taking? I have been taking Ascorbic Acid form of vitamin C, 3000 mg a day for hairloss as well as juicing 3 lemons with baking soda a day. I have noticed that I have gained weight and did not understand why. Could the vitamin C as well as the Lemons be causing this? I have been trying to treat my hairloss with this regimine. How do I tell when purchasing vitamin C if it is acidic or alkaline? Thanks Sue
Side Effects
Posted by Leah (NH) on 12/05/2006
I started taking pure vitamin C as suggested by a doctor to try and get rid of my cold faster. Within a couple of days I broke out with a blistery rash on the palms on my hands. It itched somewhat and was very annoying. Once i stopped taking it the rash disappeared. I also developed the rash after drinking large amounts of V8 Splash juice which also contains large amounts of vitamin C.
Side Effects
Posted by David (Elkton, MD) on 11/18/2008
It isn't the vitamin C. If Tomato juice causes it it's likely bioflavanoids that often come with vitamin C. You need C to survive, and your body doesn't produce it. You need to ingest it. Vitamin C is without doubt the most misunderstood nutrient and wrongfully disparaged therapeutic substance in modern medicine.
Sinusitis, Acid Reflux and Arrhythmia
Posted by John (Wilmington, CA) on 07/08/2006
★★★★★
I take 10,000 mg to 15,000 mg of Vitamin C everyday and it keeps a number of symptoms at bay. You have to build up a tolerance for Vitamin C. It may create a lot of bowel distress at first. See the internet site
http://www.orthomed.com/titrate.htm for more complete instructions on finding your personal level of Vitamin C.
Side Effects
Posted by KT (Irvine, Ca) on 11/11/2009
I agree with people linking Vitamin-C to cold sores. So, I am not alone! When taken in a dose as high as 500mg I start to get cold sores or ones already present get worse, talking about lip-condition here. I wonder what the explanation is! Reacta-C is one I took and it gives me cold sore symptoms. If I buy a formula where Vitamin-C is a part, I make sure it's not more than 50mg or else I don't buy the formula at all. B-Complex for eg. comes with Vitamin-C as part of it, some with 50mg some with 500 mg. So yea, may be taking Vitamin-C in small doses is okay or make your own like suggested here by grinding dry citrus fruit peels.
