For most people, taking vitamin C supplements is generally considered a good thing. After all, vitamin is a very important nutrient that helps rebuild, repair and grow cells in our body, a basic and essential physiological function. Benefits from vitamin C for skin and hair prove that it is even important for the parts of us that are on the outside. Considering that the body cannot make vitamin C, it’s important to ensure that we’re getting it either from foods rich in vitamin C or from supplements. You’ll find this vital vitamin in many children’s supplements, and considering that they can be rather picky eaters, it’s usually a good thing to ensure that they’re getting all of their vitamins, even if you have to resort to adding powdered vitamin C into their food.
Talk with your health care provider about vitamin C supplements for yourself or your children before using them however. It’s always a good idea to receive medical advice before taking medications or supplements, and there are some good reasons why. Believe it or not, while vitamin C supplements are considered safe and most everyone can benefit from taking them; there are some people with certain health conditions that should not take high dose vitamin C or regular dose vitamin C.
Taking larger daily doses of vitamin C – namely of 4,000 mg or more is considered to be safe and actually recommended to help remedy a cold, but may cause a loose stool, so beware.
People with diabetes should not take vitamin C supplements without consulting with their doctor. This doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t take it at all since we all need vitamin C for health; it may just mean that they require a lower dose. In addition, people with cancer should speak to their doctor before taking vitamin C supplements because of unknown interactions with cancer cells and vitamin C. Dr. Hunninghake, known for his research on the positive effects of intravenous (I.V.) vitamin C injections in cancer patients, argued that vitamin C has not been given enough value and showed promising results as a supplementary treatment for cancer alongside conventional treatments.
For people that are generally healthy without medical conditions, taking a vitamin C supplement is advisable for proper nutrient balance and good health inside and out. However, note that many multi vitamins that you may already be taking do not contain adequate levels and same with children’s vitamins. If you are concerned about your health and whether or not this essential is ideal for you in supplement form, talk to your doctor before proceeding. He or she can also discuss proper dosage with you.
