Bosnia and Herzegovina
A 24-year-old female asked:
can too much vitamin c cause protassuim defficency??
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Gurmukh Singh answered
Pathology 49 years experience
No: Vitamin C intake would not cause deficiency of potassium. Sources of vitamin C like orange juice also have potassium.
3874 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Stephen Southard answered
Internal Medicine 15 years experience
Toxicities: That are associated with too much vitamin C are abdominal bloating, diarrhea, certain types of kidney stones and rare abnormal heart rhythms. While low potassium isn't usually a direct complication, the diarrhea from too much vitamin C can lead to hypokalemia(low potassium).
2749 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Similar questions
San Carlos, CA
A 47-year-old male asked:
Does vitamin C help fight a cold?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Michio Abe answered
Internal Medicine 26 years experience
Vitamin C & colds: This topic has been debated. The data suggest that it can reduce duration of colds slightly but it does not prevent or reduce the severity of colds for most people. Some studies of people living in extreme circumstances, including soldiers in subarctic exercises, skiers, and marathon runners, have found a significant reduction in the risk of developing a cold with vitamin c by nearly 50%.
5886 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Are there any side effects of vitamin C megadoses to fight flu symptoms?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Randy Baker answered
Holistic Medicine 40 years experience
Laxative effect: Vitamin c is extremely safe. Excessive doses (usually over 5000 mg a day) can cause a laxative effect, but it is advised to take it until you get loose stools when you have the flu. Vit. C can interact with certain medications, esp. Coumadin (warfarin) (which interacts with everything!). See http://lpi.Oregonstate.Edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminc/ see my comment for more info.
5760 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Randy Baker commented
Holistic Medicine 40 years experience
Provided original answer
There is a potential hazard from very high doses of C in those with hereditary G-6PD deficiency, but it is unlikely that oral doses could create a problem. For flu symptoms I advise1000- 2000 mg of C every hour or 2 until you get loose stools. A form of Vit C called Lypo-spheric C is much better absorbed and thus may not cause a laxative effect.
Jun 27, 2012
A 37-year-old member asked:
What are the possible side effects of vitamin C over-consumption?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Randy Baker answered
Holistic Medicine 40 years experience
Laxative effect: Vitamin c is extremely safe. Excessive doses (usually over 5000 mg a day) can cause a laxative effect. Vit. C can interact with certain medications, esp. Coumadin (warfarin) (which interacts with everything!). Concerns that high doses of vit c can cause kidney stones are unproven, in fact there is no good evidence of harm from high doses of c. See http://lpi.Oregonstate.Edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminc/.
5760 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Does taking vitamin C really keep you from getting sick?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Andrew Turrisi answered
Radiation Oncology 47 years experience
Overdoses of: The fat soluble vitamins: a, d, e &k are of concern. The others, including c, are easily flushed on a daily basis. Daily dose 200mg-6gm are used.. Linus paulng advocated huge doses as a preventitive. No side effects reported. Acorbic acid is an anti-oxidant. Aid in wound healing. ?Scurvy.
5690 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Is it true that vitamin C bolsters the immune system?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Steven Machtinger answered
Allergy and Immunology 44 years experience
No: And multiple studies designed to demonstrate the immune system bolstering of low, medium, high and ludicrously high doses of vitamin c have all resulted in negative results. Sorry. This was linus pauling's idea. He was a truly great biochemist with one bad idea. That's him in the photo.
5686 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated May 31, 2015
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
24/7 visits
$15 per month
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.