Accidents caused by abuse of vitamin C

There are many types of vitamin C on the market, in addition to being used as a medicine, sometimes vitamin C is used as a food (refreshment, as a gift for children) quite arbitrarily.

Does Vitamin C beautify the skin?

Collagen should be supplemented with fruits (Photo: TTO) Collagen accounts for 45% of the composition of skin structure proteins and vitamin C plays a catalytic role in collagen production. But to regenerate skin, there are many other factors such as vitamins A, E, B, trace elements (sulfur, selenium, magnesium, iodine), fats, collagen-containing proteins. They all need to be supplied through food. Can not only take high doses of vitamin C to beautify the skin.

At sunshine (daytime), under the effect of ultraviolet rays, epithelial cells secrete melanin to make dark skin, waiting for at least 80 days epidermal cells to peel off. There are cases of pathological skin discoloration such as chronic renal failure. In both cases, high doses of vitamin C cannot be used to treat sunburn. Some people inject high-dose, long-term vitamin C (sometimes 2-3 months) in the hope of beautifying the skin, preventing darkening of the skin is not a scientific basis, sometimes even dangerous (redundant, sometimes allergy vitaminC).

Recently some studies have shown that taking excess vitamin C will 'lose the body's inherent balance' to 'increase the accumulation' of harmful double molecules, this accumulation has a role to play. in diseases such as cancer, rheumatism, atherosclerosis. There is also a need to gather more evidence, but this is a warning.

Main indications of vitamin C?

Vitamin C protects the vessel walls. Lack of it, prone to subcutaneous hemorrhage (slight bruising during a collision), bleeding gums, nosebleeds, slow healing wounds, so the drug is used to treat these bleeding cases (scurvy) .

Vitamin C participates in many functions of the body in the processes of: energy production, immunity, neutralization of the elimination of toxins, synthesis of intermediates of the nervous system, absorption calcium, iron. Drugs used: supplement (when missing in the diet) for people in pregnancy, breastfeeding (to increase the absorption of iron, calcium helps the development of fetuses and young children, avoiding some complications in childbirth), for children in adulthood (to ensure development) .

One of these applications is still debated: there are people who give it increased resistance, advocating high doses (from 1,000 mg or more); Some people find that in clinical practice it does not change the process of bacterial or viral infections .

Accidents caused by excess vitamin C

Regular use of vitamin C (such as taking effervescent tablets, taking vitamin C candy) will make the body get used to it, when not used, it will feel tired.

Using high doses (1,000 mg per day), prolonged can cause gastrointestinal disturbances (burning stomach, diarrhea), causing excessive iron, reducing the durability of red blood cells, reducing the ability of bacteria to kill bacteria In people with G6PD deficiency, they can also have hemolysis.

According to FAO, vitamin C needs every day from birth to 3 years: 25-30mg, from 4-18 years: 30-40mg, adults average 45mg. It is necessary to provide enough vitamin C in the diet, if it is missing, it must be supplemented but not overused as it will absorb harmful iron excess (as mentioned above) and reduce the absorption of copper, nickel to make bones retarded, easy to deform and often suffer from conjunctivitis.

For pregnant women, the daily requirement for vitamin C is 50mg, when breastfeeding is 70mg. It is necessary to provide enough vitamin C in the diet, if it is missing, it must be supplemented but not overused because it can cause birth defects in children.

The intermediate metabolite product of vitamin C is oxalic acid, so the continuous use of high doses may cause kidney stones (calcium oxalat stones).

For these reasons, vitamins should not be considered as a supplement or an unlimited use (especially for children and pregnant women). The necessary cases of high doses must be prescribed by a physician and only used for a short time.

Mild stimulant Vitamin C makes it difficult to sleep, so it should not be taken in the evening. In addition, the drug may cause allergies (type of injection or allergy). Part of the cause of allergies is its metamorphosis and preservatives. Do not use for people who are sensitive to drugs, absolutely do not use discolored products.