Even if you have a glass of orange juice and take a multivitamin every day, you might still need more vitamin C. Here's why:
1. Low vitamin C is very common. One in three Americans has low blood levels of C. Researchers at Arizona State University think one reason is that foods don't contain as much vitamin C as we think. For example, orange juice in ready-to-drink cartons has far less C than juice from frozen concentrate.
2. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for vitamin C is too low. C is an antioxidant superpower that neutralizes free radicals that are associated with cancer, heart disease, cataracts, and other conditions. According to physicians writing for Prevention, 500 to 1,000 mg of vitamin C per day are needed to saturate blood and tissue. Current RDA levels are 90 for men and 75 for women.
3. If you have diabetes, extra vitamin C is recommended. People with diabetes have high levels of oxidative stress, which can lead to blindness, nerve damage, and heart disease. Vitamin C helps to counter these effects. If you take supplements, be sure to tell your doctor.
The safe upper limit for vitamin C taken daily is 2,000 mg. Higher doses can cause diarrhea or stomach upset.
The American Cancer Society's committee on nutrition and physical activity says extra vitamin C isn't for everyone. Don't take it if you are taking chemotherapy. If your body stores excess iron, or if you have a history of kidney stones, don't take more than 100 to 200 mg per day.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.
